Punjab Minister for Primary and Secondary Healthcare Khawaja Imran Nazir said here Sunday that measles mop up campaign be conducted in Lahore, Rawalpindi and Kasur. The decision was announced in the the monthly Chief Executive Officers (Health) Meeting in the Directorate General Health Services Punjab here on Sunday. The meeting was chaired by both the Ministers, Khawaja Salman Rafique, Minister Specialized Healthcare and Medical Education and Khawaja Imran Nazir, Minister for Primary and Secondary Healthcare. Besides Ali Jan Khan, Secretary P&SH and Director General Health Services Dr. Faisal Zahoor, Chief Executive Officers (H) of all districts, Program Managers, CEOs (H) of all districts, Chief Minister Roadmap team, PITB, Policy and Strategic Planning Unit, UNICEF, WHO and key staff participated in the meeting. Importance of Hepatitis and EPI in the present disease situation were specially discussed. Challenge for TB resurgence and revamping of program was also highlighted. Khawaja Salman Rafique emphasized the implementation of safe blood transfusion initiative as per provincial guidelines. He immediately transferred Secretary Blood Transfusion Authority Dr. Nauman and directed him to report the department. Director EPI Dr. Munir Ahmed said that case of Supplementary Measles campaign will be discussed in National Immunization Technical Advisory Group Meeting. He said vaccinator attendance and coverage were under special scanner and called for revised micro plan and comprehensive strategy to improve immunization at grass root level. Secretary PSH Ali Jaan Khan directed the districts to hold Hepatitis week in May in befitting manner. He said vaccination of Hep B be given and message for awareness may be circulated by all CEOs. Khawaja Imran Nazir further said substandard medicines will be tracked down and districts must comply with directions issued. He also said that the districts must submit their funds utilization status (excess or surrender) in time, emphasizing the judicious utilization of funds by District Health Authorities. The secretary said that dedicated Hepatitis Sentinels sites are being established in the province with specially trained staff. “The prevalence of Hepatitis B and C is high priority area for the government and we are responding accordingly,” the Secretary said. The meeting also reviewed the status of implementation of development schemes as well as human resource requirements in the province. The Secretary also said that progress on bio-matric attendance has improved and further said penalties and other disciplinary measures may be taken against staff not complying. The Chief Minister Roadmap team presented analysis on Key Performance Indicators for Primary and Secondary Healthcare.
