Exploring joint efforts for disease prevention

Delay in release of funds can affect implementation of such plans: expert

LAHORE: A meeting was held on Sunday between representatives of the provincial government and the Pakistan Kidney and Liver Institute (PKLI) to explore areas of collaboration to launch a disease prevention plan for the province.

Adviser to the Chief Minister on Health Khawaja Salman Rafique, Primary and Secondary Healthcare Secretary Ali Jan Khan and Pakistan Kidney and Liver Institute (PKLI) President Dr Saeed Akhter were present on the occasion. A team of medical practitioners based in the United States joined the meeting through a video link.

The team committed to come to Pakistan to join the PKLI and assist with planning and implementation phases.

Khawaja Salman Rafique said that the government was committed to ensuring successful implementation of the plan. He said discouraging the use of reusable syringes and introducing relevant courses and modules for the nursing staff were two important concerns for the government.

Saeed Akhter said that prevention of viral hepatitis was a major objective of the PKLI. He said the institute planned to launch its clinical activity soon. He said the disease prevention plan should encompass development of patients’ database and identification and prevention of risk factors associated with various diseases.

Akhter added that steps needed to be taken to attract and retain dedicated human resource for the purpose. He said such personnel could be motivated to work for the implementation of the plan by ensuring good working conditions, competitive salaries and an autonomous atmosphere.

Primary and Secondary Healthcare Secretary Ali Jan Khan stressed the need for joint efforts to ensure successful implementation of the programme. He said the government could provide requisite infrastructure for the prevention programme and medical practitioners needed to extend technical and scientific support for the purpose.

Dr Ammara Naveed from the US said that disease surveillance, blood safety, infection control and promotion of education and treatment facilities could be the major objectives of the prevention plan. She said a public awareness campaign would be needed to educate people about the programme. She said seminars and workshops should be held and print and electronic media resources used to disseminate information about the plan. Dr Bilal from the US pointed out delay in allocation and release of funds as one of the major impediments in effective implementation of prevention programmes at the government level. He stressed the need for ensuring that medical practitioners undertaking procedures like endoscopy were updated on hygiene standards.

Counter for senior citizens 

A counter has been set up at the Outpatients Department at the Lahore General Hospital to facilitate senior citizens visiting the hospital. This was stated by Post-graduate Medical Institute principal Prof Khalid Mahmood on Sunday.

He said the staff at the counter would help senior citizens get registration slips on a priority basis to consult an on duty doctor. Senior citizens would also be able to consult the counter for assistance with laboratory tests and X-ray and ultrasound examinations.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 27^th, 2016.