Health Dept developing platform for tackling contagious diseases

A meeting of technical experts was organized under the chairmanship of Advisor to Chief Minister Hanif Patafi and co-chaired by Health DG Dr Haroon Jehangir Khan to review the draft PC-1 on comprehensive programme on communicable diseases and emerging infections in Punjab on Tuesday.
The meeting was attended by Health Services directors, WHO, JSI, PITB and other stakeholders. The draft PC-1 covers all endemic communicable disease including dengue, malaria, congo fever, leishmaniosis, gastroenteritis, seasonal flu, scabies, smog hazards, rabies etc. Additionally, a programme will also cover the technical and logistic requirements to cater public health response for diseases having international importance like coronavirus, pandemic influenza, ebola virus etc.
Dr Haroon mentioned that we were developing comprehensive platform to tackle all kinds of outbreak threats including emerging infections. We were required to remain fully prepared to respond any new outbreak threat like coronavirus. The experts discussed the proposed interventions including proactive disease surveillance and epidemic response unit; lab and testing facilities, trainings and capacity building, environmental control measures; behaviour change communication and risk communication. It was recommended that a comprehensive approach with provision of action framework for acting jointly by stakeholders will enhance the organisational capacity in larger public interest.
At the end of meeting Hanif Patafi inaugurated office of Provincial Disease Surveillance and Response Unit which was established with support from USAID, FELTP and JSI. The PDSRU will assist Health Services Punjab director general to monitor epidemic threats closely and support on time outbreak public health response.
While talking to media, Mr Pattafi said that government functionaries were fully vigilant and closely monitoring coronavirus situation.
All arrangement to screen the international travellers coming from China have been finalised being scanned at all airports.
Corona kits were available for sampling of suspected patients however new kits were being purchased on emergency basis to cater any emergency situation.