Disease-free Punjab govt’s mission, says minister

LAHORE:Provincial Health Minister Khawaja Imran Nazir called for a 5-year road map of vertical programmes for prevention and elimination of diseases in Punjab.

He said that disease-free Punjab is the vision and mission of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, for which billions of rupees Resources are being provided. The chief minister has started revolutionary projects in the health sector in a short period of time, which are rapidly progressing towards completion.

Provincial Health Minister Khawaja Imran Nazir expressed these views while addressing the representatives of Global Health Initiatives at an important meeting related to vertical programmes.

He directed that short-term and long-term health plans should be formulated soon for the elimination of diseases. Communicable and non-communicable programs were reviewed in detail in the meeting. Apart from traditional methods, unique messages will be shared through artists and influencers in the social media, he added.

The provincial health minister said that a health survey across the province is under consideration to get the data of diseases. We will remove the shortcomings of our health programs and make them self-sustained in terms of financial resources. He said that he will talk to high ups to make it a part of the curriculum.

Health Secretary Nadia Saqib said that polio and EPI programmes will be integrated. It was told in the briefing that 7.8 million children were administered polio drops across Punjab. As many as 42,000 lady health workers and more than 100,000 polio workers are serving in the polio campaign.

Special Secretary M Iqbal, Barakullah Khan, Additional Secretaries, DG Health, Project Directors of Vertical Programs and Director of Global Health Initiatives Dr. Wahab were also present in the meeting.