Review meeting: EDOs directed to ensure provision of H1N1 medicines

Case response to be conducted across places in south Punjab.


Our Correspondent January 23, 2016
PHOTO: AFP

LAHORE:


Adviser to Chief Minister on Health Khwaja Salman Rafique on Saturday ordered the provision of curative drugs for H1N1 flu to be ensured.


Rafique gave out the directive at a monthly meeting of EDOs where measures to check the flu remained in the spotlight. Health Services DG Amjad Shahzad said an adequate number of Tamiflu tablets was available at his office and directed the EDOs to stay in continuous touch with the Communicable Disease Control wing.

Those present at the meeting were informed that staff engaged in treating H1N1 patients would be vaccinated. The EDOs were directed to submit lists of staff in this regard.

Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI) Director Munir Ahmed asked the EDOs to solicit the support of those elected in the recent local government elections to support programme activities. Following the confirmation of a polio case in Rahim Yar Khan, he said, a case response would be conducted across Rahim Yar Khan, Rajanpur, Dera Ghazi Khan and Ahmadpur East tehsil of Bahawalpur.

The EPI director said all EDOs must strive to ensure that Trivalent Oral Polio Vaccine (TOPV) stocks were exhausted by March due to the worldwide transition from TOPV to Bivalent Oral Polio Vaccine. He also directed the EDOs to ensure that public and private laboratories filed forms over the absence of any substance having been infected by the Bacteriophage P2 virus. He also emphasised the importance of registering, mapping and inoculating gypsy children against polio and vaccine preventable diseases.

Chief Minister Health Reforms Roadmap officials presented a data analysis of staff attendance, biometric attendance, hospital cleanliness, availability of medicines, demand and supply, safe delivery and an overall EDO scorecard. Those present were also told that action would be taken against those on unauthorised leave and failing to maintain cleanliness standards across medical facilities.

The adviser to the chief minister on health also reviewed data regarding hygiene and sanitation across all districts. Those present were also informed that a new surveillance system had been introduced in the province to monitor and document mother and neo-natal tetanus deaths.

Primary and Secondary Healthcare Secretary Ali Jan Khan was among a number of public officials and representatives of international organisations present on the occasion.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 24th, 2016.

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