Staff Reporter
Punjab Health Minister Dr. Yasmin Rashid on Friday declared that adequate medicines are available for gangue patients in public sector hospitals and reserved beds for treatment of dengue patients are being increased.
“The government cannot overcome dengue challenge without support of the people.” Punjab Health Minister Dr. Yasmin Rashid stated this while chairing a meeting held to review the status of dengue treatment facilities at the Specialized Healthcare and Medical Education Department here on Friday.
Secretary Specialized Healthcare and Medical Education Ahmed Javed Qazi, Special Secretary Ajmal Bhatti, Additional Secretary Dr Salman Shahid, Additional Secretary Dr Asif Tufail, Principal Allama Iqbal Medical College Prof Dr Arif Tajammul, CEO Punjab Healthcare Commission Saqib Aziz, Consultant Prof Asad Aslam Khan, MS Mayo Hospital Dr. Iftikhar, MS Services Hospital Dr Ehteshamul Haq, MS Jinnah Hospital Dr Yahya Sultan and other officials attended the meeting.
Additional Secretary (Technical) Dr Salman Shahid briefed the Health Minister about the status of dengue cases and available treatment facilities in public hospitals.
The Health Minister said: “Dengue situation is under constant watch and the Punjab Healthcare Commission is ensuring dengue test charges on approved rate in all labs of the province.”
Dr Yasmin informed that the option for using Expo centre facility for dengue patients is being considered.
On the occasion, Secretary SH&ME Ahmed Javed Qazi said that status of facilities for dengue in Teaching Hospitals is being reviewed on daily basis.
Meanwhile, on directives of Health Minister Dr Yasmin Rashid, the Primary and Secondary Healthcare Department organized a training workshop on upcoming Measles Rubella Campaign in collaboration with Unicef here on Friday.
Director Expanded Program on Immunization Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed presided over the event which was attended by WHO and Unicef officials and consultants as well as officials from the Primary and Secondary Healthcare Department.
Director EPI Dr Mukhtar Ahmed said that the campaign will be organized from 15th November and more than 46 million children between 9 months to 15 years will be administered anti-measles vaccine.
He stressed that children should be immunized against Measles and Rubella in schools and in community in the 12 day campaign as per directives from the Health Minister.
Chief Health Unicef Dr Tahir Manzoor said that Unicef was providing all out support to the provincial government.
The event was attended by Chief health Dr. Tahir Manzoor, MR Consultant Dr. Saeed Akhtar, Technical Officer WHO Dr. Nauman Khan and Consultant WHO Dr. Mazher Qureshi.
