Provincial Minister for Specialized Healthcare & Medical Education Khawaja Salman Rafique has said that old age people, pregnant women and children of less than six years are high risk population for seasonal flu (H1, N1). He said that these people should adopt preventive measures and ensure vaccination for timely prevention of this disease and if symptoms appeared then immediately visit to a qualified doctor or the hospital. The Minister said that some cases of seasonal flu reported from Lahore and Multan which are being treated according to the SoPs. He directed to all the medical superintendents of the government hospitals to ensure availability of medicines for the patients and clinicians should adopt preventive measures during the treatment of seasonal flu patients for their personal safety.
He expressed these views while chairing a meeting to monitor the situation of seasonal influenza in all the districts of the province. Provincial Minister for Primary & Secondary Healthcare Khawaja Imran Nazir, Secretary Specialized Healthcare & Medical Education Najam Ahmed Shah, Secretary Primary & Secondary Healthcare Ali Jan Khan, Special Secretary, Additional Secretary Health, Director General Health Services Dr. Akhtar Rasheed, Dr. Ess Muhammad, Dr. Naeem ud Din Mian and officers of both the health departments were present in the meeting while medical superintendents of the hospitals participated in the meeting through video link. The Minister for Primary & Secondary Healthcare Khawaja Imran Nazir has said that all the district health authorities have nominated focal persons and special monitoring teams for surveillance of the hospitals for seasonal flu are fully activated. He said that both the health departments are working with close coordination to overcome the situation. The Minister said that all the district health authorities are submitting their daily disease surveillance report for better monitoring of seasonal flu. Khawaja Imran Nazir said that we should save human lives by timely taking decisions and preventive measures. He directed that all the doctors, nurses and hospital staff should wear preventive kits during treatment of the patients so that the virus could not transfer to them. The officers of health departments gave briefing to both the Ministers on the steps taken regarding prevention and treatment of the disease. Secretary Primary & Secondary Healthcare Ali Jan Khan said that the department has issued directions to all the CEOs to establish special desks for seasonal flu in all the hospitals. He also briefed the participants about the awareness campaign in media. Secretary further said that with the collaboration of district governments, the awareness campaign will start in schools and other public places.