Govt on toes to curb monkeypox outbreak

The Punjab Healthcare Commission directed all private healthcare establishments (HCEs) to refer suspected cases of monkeypox to selected public sector hospitals, instead of admitting such patients.

Private HCEs were directed to ensure that they can identify the suspected cases of monkeypox and were also instructed to ensure that they will immediately refer patients younger than 15-years-old to Children’s Hospital and adult patients to Lahore General Hospital.

The PHC has already circulated comprehensive definitions of suspected, probable and confirmed cases of monkeypox, along with the reporting mechanism, as issued by the Directorate of General Health Services Punjab.

Moreover, the respective administrations of private HCEs were also directed to report suspected, probable and confirmed cases of monkeypox to the district health authority.

Meanwhile, an isolation ward was set up in Nishtar Hospital after the monkeypox alert was issued across Punjab.

Spokesperson Dr Sajjad Masood said that monkeypox is a disease found in animals and in 2022, infections were reported in African countries.

He further said on the instructions of Secretary Health South Punjab Afzal Nasir Khan, Vice Chancellor Nishtar Medical University Multan Professor Dr Rana Altaf Ahmed completed all the arrangements in view of expected cases of monkeypox in Nishtar Hospital Multan.

Monkeypox cases have been reported in the country already.

For this purpose, five rooms in Ward 27 have been allocated for monkeypox patients, where all necessary medicines and protective items are being provided.

A guidance counter has also been set up in the emergency department of Nishtar Hospital to provide guidance and awareness to patients coming to Nishtar, where the public is also being sensitised on safety measures and precautions.

Samples from monkeypox patients will be sent to the Institute of Public Health Lahore.

The public is advised to contact Nishtar Hospital Multan immediately in case of any symptoms.

As a precautionary measure, people are urged to keep their distance from the monkeypox patient and to wear protective clothing and gloves before touching such a patient.

Citizens were urged to wash their hands after touching patients and washing animal meat well and cooking it thoroughly.

During a seminar on Thursday, speakers maintained that the disease is selflimiting and people should not panic unnecessarily, as the symptoms subside after a short period and without the need of medication.