Punjab to launch hepatitis prevention pilot project

LAHORE:Provincial Health Minister Khawaja Salman Rafique reviewed the Hepatitis and Infection Control Programme in a meeting held at the Specialised Healthcare and Medical Education Department on Tuesday. Senior Gastroenterologist Prof Tariq Mahmood also gave a briefing in this regard.

Addressing the meeting, Khawaja Salman said that Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz wanted to start a pilot project for screening and treatment of hepatitis disease which is increasing rapidly in Pakistan. “We have to work on the prevention of this disease and adopt a healthy lifestyle”.

The health minister said feasibility has been made for the pilot project for screening and treatment of hepatitis. Initially, PKLI, Lahore General Hospital, Nishtar Hospital Multan, Allied Hospital Faisalabad and Holy Family Hospital Rawalpindi will be made part of this pilot project.

A requisition has also been sent to the Punjab Public Service Commission for the recruitment of new doctors in this supra-specialty, he informed. Khawaja Salman Rafique said new endoscopy machines would also be purchased under this pilot project. A meeting will be held with all stakeholders in this regard soon. Recommendations in this regard will be submitted to the Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz soon. Both the health departments will jointly make this programme successful.

The meeting was attended by Special Secretary Development Zeeshan Shabbir Rana, Additional Secretary Technical Dr M Waseem, Chief Planning Officer Abdul Haq Bhatti, Additional Secretary Dr Waheed Asghar and others.