Dr Yasmin directs special sessions in schools on dengue awareness
Staff Reporter
Punjab Health Minister Dr Yasmin Rashid on Tuesday said that improving birth registration is key to improving routine immunization coverage in Punjab. “New measures are being taken to improve birth registration.”
She stated this during a meeting with the delegation of Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation at the Specialized Healthcare and Medical Education Department on Monday.
The meeting was attended by Secretary Primary and Secondary healthcare Sarah Aslam, Additional Secretary (Admin) P&SH Department Farid Ahmed, DG Punjab Health Services Dr Haroon Jehangir, Director EPI Dr Mukhtar Ahmed, Mian Zahidur Rehman Bata, National Technical Focal Person Dr Zarif Khan, Technical Focal Person Punjab Dr Naeem Majeed, Program Officer BMGF Khurram Butt, Prof Javed Ch and others.
Dr Yasmin Rashid discussed the measures to strengthen the EPI and the National Health Support Program with the BMGF team. The delegation appreciated the performance of the EPI Program and assured all out support.
The Health Minister said, “Currently our focus is on improving birth registration and measures are being taken to increase birth registration at public and private hospitals as well as document births at home.
Without proper and reliable statistics on birth registration, it will become very difficult to plan and provide quality healthcare services. Timely registration of every birth at hospitals and homes is extremely important.
Dr Yasmin Rashid said, “Our Teaching Hospitals, THQs and DHQs have been directed to ensure 24 hours vaccination services.
The summary for the hiring of another 8,000 LHWs in Punjab has been sent for approval. The round-the-clock birth registration and immunization services are being ensured at Labor Rooms of public sector hospitals.
Dedicated staff will be notified to ensure registration and immunization. A verification exercise of births at public and private hospitals is also being initiated.
Good performers in the given work shall be rewarded. As per vision of Prime Minister Imran Khan, steps will be taken to improve Mother and Child Health indicators in Punjab.”
Meanwhile, Health Minister Dr Yasmin Rashid directed the provincial and district teams to intensify anti-dengue activities in education institutions and hospitals.
She said children must be educated about dengue during zero period/hour. Chairing the Cabinet Committee meeting here, Dr Yasmin Rashid said that in the last 24 hours, no dengue case was reported in the province.
The meeting was attended by Punjab Minister for Auqaf Saeedul Hassan Shah, Secretary Primary and Secondary Healthcare Department Sarah Aslam, Director General Health Services Punjab Dr Haroon Jehangir and other officials whereas Commissioners and Deputy Commissioners joined through video link.
She said, “Dengue larva must be eliminated from all spots identified by Special Branch. DG health must personally visit all hospitals to ensure elimination of Larva. The administration is working very hard to control dengue and Corona.
The Corona vaccination is being launched at a large scale. There is no shortage of vaccine and vaccination of at least 40% population of over 18 years of age is being ensured.”
She asserted, “Commissioners and Deputy Commissioners must ensure compliance with DEAG guidelines. The PHA must focus on cleanliness of green belts and parks.
Citizens are requested to monitor stagnant water in homes and offices. Anti-dengue activities must be initiated in mosques and shrines.
All institutions must work jointly to control dengue. Teams must stay alert during Monsoon season. An awareness campaign is being run in effective manner.”
