Staff Reporter
Punjab Health Minister Dr. Yasmin Rashid renewed pledge to eradicate Polio from Punjab at a meeting of the Independent Monitoring Board here at Specialized Healthcare and Medical Education Department on Thursday.
Additional Secretary Primary and Secondary Healthcare Ms. Sundas Irshad, Director DG Health Services Dr Suhail Arshad, Dr Aslam Chaudhry, representatives of World Health Organization and Unicef were also attended the meeting.
Present on video link were Team Lead IMB Professor Liam Donaldson, Dr. Ala Alwin, Dr. Thomas and Dr. Susan Goldstein. Additional Secretary PSH Department shared the progress on Polio eradication efforts.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr Yasmin Rashid said: “In the last three months, all of Punjab’s environmental samples were negative.
I appreciate the team of the Primary and Secondary Healthcare Department and district administration for this.
We are extremely grateful to the IMB for this support. Punjab government is committed to polio eradication efforts. The meetings of the Provincial Task Force are regularly organized.
All the targets of the Polio campaigns are being are achieved here in Punjab. In all districts meetings are being regularly held.
All samples taken in March and April are negative. As compared to last year, the number of districts affected by Polio has gone down from 15 to 5.
Despite Corona Pandemic, six polio campaigns were held. All resources are being mobilized to make Punjab Polio free.”
Prof Liam Donaldson appreciated Punjab team under Dr. Yasmin Rashid for making meaningful efforts for Punjab Polio eradication and assured all out support.
Meanwhile, Punjab Health Minister Dr. Yasmin Rashid signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Agha Khan Medical University Karachi at the Specialized Healthcare and Medical Education Department to enhance capacity of ICU staff in Punjab hospitals here on Thursday.
Present on the occasion were Secretary Specialized Healthcare and Medical Education Department Barrister Nabeel Awan, Professor Dr. Mehmud Shaukat, CEO Mayo Hospital Professor Dr. Saqib Saeed whereas representatives from Agha Khan University Dr. Sohaib, Kashif Amin and Wasim Yousuf were present in the signing ceremony.
Secretary Specialized healthcare and Medical Education Department Barrister Nabeel Awan and officials of the Agha Khan University signed the agreement.
As per the agreement, experts from Agha Khamn Medical University shall impart training to staff of Punjab hospitals serving in ICUs.
CEO Mayo Hospital Dr. Saqib Saeed shall personally supervise the training sessions of nurses.
