Over 1.5k trained in disease surveillance

The Punjab government has conducted Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response (IDSR) training of 1,519 healthcare personnel across 18 districts.

The remaining districts are set to begin the training in the coming month.

The training aligns with the International Health Regulations (IHR) framework, aiming to fortify the province's disease monitoring and response capabilities.

Addressing the concluding session of the national quarterly review meeting on IDSR, Caretaker Minister for Primary and Secondary Healthcare Dr Jamal Nasir said computerisation had been implemented across all government health facilities in the province.

UK Health Security Agency Chief Executive Dr Dame Jenny Harries, who presided over the event, highlighted UKHSA’s contribution to the development of integrated laboratory systems aimed at enhancing comprehensive disease surveillance in the country. Prof Harries also underscored UKHSA's substantial assistance in technical areas and core capacities, as recommended by a Joint External Evaluation (JEE) report.

She reaffirmed UKHSA's commitment to providing technical support in line with the JEE 2023 draft report. The support encompasses areas such as surveillance and response, laboratory strengthening initiatives, health workforce development, addressing environmental and chemical concerns, advanced analytics, and the automation of alert systems for swift responses.

British High Commission Country Lead Dr Muhammad Sartaj highlighted the leadership and monitoring programme's role in augmenting local capabilities through international experts.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 28^th, 2023.