‘Punjab hospitals provided PEP medicines’

LAHORE: Punjab AIDS Control Programme has provided Post Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) medicines to all DHQ and THQ hospitals across Punjab. 

Directives to this effect were issued by Additional Secretary (Admin) Primary and Secondary Healthcare Department Dr Adnan Zafar Khan in a review meeting of Punjab AIDS Control Programme and Punjab Hepatitis Control Programme on Thursday.

“We are providing PEP medicines to all DHQ and THQ hospitals in Punjab to reduce the risk of HIV transmission through accidental pricks. The PEP medicines need to be made available at all key centres and their availability must be ensured,” Dr Adnan Zafar directed the staff.

The PEP medicines are deemed to be essential part of all healthcare establishments especially labs and diagnostic centres where there is risk of accidental pricks. The pack of tablets is kept in the emergencies to reduce the risk of HIV transmission through needle prick.

The technical team informed that two tablets are to be taken immediately after the prick. The treatment further continues and the staff is advised to contact the Punjab AIDS Control Programme for guidance until the course is complete.

It was informed in the meeting that the drive to register hair dressers, saloons and beauty parlours will start in the first week of the April. “In the first phase, the registration will be piloted in Lahore. Changes in the plan may be made according to lessons learnt, before the drive is expanded to all province,” the secretary said.