‘Auto-destructive syringes to help control diseases’

LAHORE

Adviser to chief minister on Health Kh Salman Rafique has said auto-destructive syringes would be introduced to control hepatitis, HIV/AIDS and other infectious diseases. He said in first phase, these syringes would be introduced in public sector hospitals.

“Reuse of disposable syringes is a basic cause of spreading infectious and blood diseases,” he said during a meeting with the senior officials of Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP), according to a handout on Wednesday. Chief Executive Officer of DRAP Dr Aslam, Deputy Director General Dr Asim Rauf, Federal Inspector Drug Dr Ajmal Suhail Asif and other officers of Health Department attended the meeting.

Kh Salman Rafique informed that a joint action committee has constituted for this purpose which would furnish its recommendations within a week.

The adviser said that manufacturers of disposable syringes and importers would also be taken on board for switching over from disposable to auto destructive syringes. He observed that reuse of disposable syringes by the addicts is the basic cause of spreading HIV/ AIDs and Hepatitis, B&C in society. He said removal of basic cause is very essential to overcome the issue.

camp: In connection with World COPD Day, a private hospital organised an international level awareness lecture and a free medical camp.

According to a press release issued here on Wednesday, a valuable consultancy, free lungs test, 50 percent discount on digital X-Rays and CBC tests were provided to patients. An exceptional awareness lecture was also arranged at hospital’s auditorium.

Head of Pulmonology Dr Saleem-Uz-Zaman Adhami explained in detail the health problems related to COPD. He said that smoking was the major cause of this disease. In his lecture, Dr Usama Habib, a psychiatrist, told the general public that it was only the strong will by which smoking could be avoided and eventually people could get rid of its addiction. Different ways were suggested by him to quit smoking.