Law on mandatory salt iodisation soon

LAHORE
Punjab Health Department with the assistance of Micronutrient Initiative (MI) has decided to bring legislation on mandatory salt iodization.
Talking to the media after attending the conference of MPAs held under the aegis of Micronutrient Initiative on Thursday, Adviser to CM on Health Khawaja Salman Rafique said he had asked the MI to help the health department prepare draft of a bill which would be brought to the Punjab assembly for approval. He claimed that the expected bill be presented in the assembly within two months.
Earlier, talking to the parliamentarians, Kh Salman Rafiq and Parliamentary Secretary on Health Kh Imran Nazir agreed on the importance of salt iodisation and its impact on the population. They assured to play their role along with other parliamentarians for getting the legislation approved by Punjab assembly for mandatory salt iodization in Punjab. They also promised for enforcement of the law on Universal Salt Iodization (USI), once the legislation is passed from assembly. He advised the Health DG Dr Zahid Pervez to immediately prepare the draft bill after consultation with all stakeholders.
Dr Zahid Pervaiz and Dr Mahmood Ahmad Programme Manger Food informed the importance of Universal Salt Iodization and activities being done in Punjab by Health Department in close collaboration with Micronutrient Initiative Pakistan.
Country Director Micronutrient Initiative Pakistan Dr Tausif Akhtar Janjua briefed the participants about the Micronutrient Initiative’s efforts for salt iodization in Pakistan and Punjab. He highlighted the role of parliamentarians for moving a bill in assembly for mandatory salt iodization in Punjab that will result in improving the mental and physical health with ensuring attendance and decreasing dropout rate in schools.
Talking to the parliamentarians in a seminar arranged by Health Department and MI on iodine deficiency disorders, Speaker Punjab Assembly Rana Muhammad Iqbal appreciated the efforts of Micronutrient Initiative and Health Department for salt iodization in Punjab. He committed that legislation on compulsory salt iodization will be passed in upcoming session of Punjab Assembly.
Meanwhile, Kh Salman Rafiq said international anti-dengue day will be observed in Punjab on June15. The purpose of observing the day is to create maximum awareness among the masses against dengue. He was presiding over a meeting of Cabinet Committee on Dengue at Civil Secretariat, according to a handout. MNA Kiran Dar, MPAs Lubna Faisal and Pir Ashraf Rasool and others attended the meeting. Dr Zahid Pervaiz and representatives of federal government departments in Lahore were also present. Commissioners of Gujranwala, Faisalabad and Rawalpindi Divisions participated in the meeting through video link.
The meeting was informed that due to the increase in temperature the breeding of dengue larvae is reduced considerably and now dengue larvae is being reported in Lahore and Sheikhupura in a very limited numbers. It was informed that on the violation of dengue regulations in Lahore 108 FIRs have been registered whereas 18 persons were arrested. Chemical and biological methods are being used to eliminate dengue larvae. It was informed that Fisheries Department has stocked larvae eater fish in 273 water bodies in Lahore. It was informed that Dengue Expert Advisory Group has imparted training of doctors and nurses of private hospitals in clinical management. Another training programme will start from June 2 in which five master trainers would be trained from each district. Kh Salman Rafique directed that headmaster and principals of schools and colleges should be asked to visit their institutions twice a week during summer vacation for dengue surveillance and ensure that their institutions should not become dengue breeding spot during vacation. He said due to vigorous and consolidated efforts of government departments dengue is fully under control, however, all the stakeholders should continue their present struggle against dengue to control this menace in the coming season. He stressed the need of research on dengue on modern lines. He said Institute of Public Health should play its vital role in this regard.
During the meeting, the senior officers of Agriculture, Labour, Local Government, Auqaf, Transport, Fisheries, Housing and Urban Development, Higher Education, School Education, Social Welfare, Cooperatives, Rescue-1122, Special Branch, police, Wasa and other institutions briefed about the anti-dengue activities and indoor and outdoor surveillance. The officers of Wasa informed that publicity material is being published on the Wasa bills for the awareness of the citizens.
Kh Salman Rafique expressed satisfaction over the measures taken by the government departments and directed to continue their efforts.