‘Measles cases in Punjab fewer than in other provinces’

LAHORE : Provincial Minister Primary and Secondary Healthcare Kh Imran Nazir said that measles cases are very less in Punjab than other provinces, but the vaccination campaign has to be intensified to protect children from infectious diseases. The minister health was addressing the CEOs Health, MSs Conference here on Saturday.

During the conference, Secretary Health Ali Jan Khan briefed about the facilities available in DHQ Hospitals, Rural Health Centres and Basic Health Units.

The health minister said that the officers who reduced the vaccination of children from 90% to 68% should be asked. He said that the health department will not compromise with those who violate the system and discipline.

The provincial minister asked CEOs health to keep the media constantly informed about the situation and causes of measles cases so that the public can know the correct facts. He said that the CEOs of Health DHQ and THQ hospitals should review the reports on measles cases and submit a report. The provincial minister said that the district health authorities have a stock of medicines worth Rs12 billion. The PHFMC-run hospitals in 14 districts have received medicines of Rs7 billion, he added.

He said that as of March, out of 2,500 BHUs, 500 health centres did not have doctors and now the doctors will be posted by the end of June in all 2,500 BHUs and 200 RHCs.

Khawaja Imran Nazir said that 90% of the supply of medicines has been completed in district and tehsil hospitals. He said that more than 100,000 people have benefited from the treatment facilities in 32 field hospitals across Punjab. He said that more than 200 Clinics on Wheels are engaged in providing medical facilities to poor and needy patients in backward and urban areas. The Field Hospitals and Clinics on Wheels are being digitally monitored. The conference was attended by all CEOs health and MSs of DHQ hospitals, besides senior officers of health department.

Provincial Health Minister Khawaja Salman Rafique on this occasion said that the Punjab government is paying special attention in the health sector. I am pointing out the conditions seen in various hospitals of Punjab recently. We are trying our best to make Pakistan polio-free. In this regard, the role of vaccinators is very important.

He said that Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has focused all her attention for the improvement of health system. This generation has to work hard for a better future for the next generation. He warned that dengue is likely to accelerate with the coming rains. “Emergency services are being launched on the motorway very soon and there will be a rescue vehicle every thirty kilometers on the motorway”. The health minister said that the strict action against the enemies of humanity quacks will continue throughout Punjab. There should be leadership skills in the MSs of government hospitals. Action will be taken against the underperforming MSs. He said revamping projects in government hospitals are being completed on a priority basis.

Secretary Health Punjab Ali Jan Khan said in his opinion that the shortage of medicines in government hospitals will be unbearable. The project to provide medicines to heart, TB and hepatitis patients in Punjab is going on successfully. The purpose of going to hospitals is to assess the situation and measures should be taken to control measles, Congo, cholera and other epidemics across the province. The next three to six weeks are very important regarding the Congo virus.

Secretary Health Punjab Ali Jan Khan, Special Secretaries M Iqbal and M Ahmed, Additional Secretaries Rashid Irshad, Khizar Afzal, Babar and Dr Younis, DG Health Services Dr Ilyas Gondal, DG Drugs Dr Sohail, Dr Asim Altaf, Dr Yadullah, Director EPI Dr Mukhtar Awan, Deputy Secretaries and CEOs of all districts and MS attended the conference.