Kits to prevent hepatitis distributed among barbers

LAHORE : Punjab Minister for Primary and Secondary Health Khawaja Imran Nazir has said the department has achieved another milestone with regard to eradicating hepatitis B and C by starting distribution of 40,000 safe barber kits among the barbers of the province.

He expressed these views while addressing the inaugural ceremony of distribution of safe barber kits in a local hotel here on Saturday. The ceremony was organised by the Punjab Hepatitis Control Programme.

Punjab Hepatitis Control Programme has arranged the safe barber kits for specific registered 40,000 barbers. The department also trained them to utilise infection-free new blades and scissors while cutting hair and shaving off their clients to control spread of infection.

There is an important clause in Hepatitis Act-2018 passed by Punjab Assembly in March about ensuring infection control and prevention of diseases.

Hepatitis Control Programme Director Dr Zahida Sarwar, Deputy Programme Manager Dr Shaaban, a large number of barbers and the district health officers were also present. On the occasion, the safe kits were distributed among the barbers of Lahore while the kits for the barbers of other districts were handed over to the deputy district officers.

symposium: Lahore General Hospital (LGH) held awareness walk and symposium on AIDS here on Saturday.

Post Graduate Medical Institute (PGMI) Principal Prof Dr Ghias-un-Nabi Tayyab said we can avoid AIDS by following Islamic teaching.

Prof Ghias said sexual relation other than spouse was the main cause of AIDS and apart from all advancement medical science was unable to find a proper treatment for this disease. He lauded the efforts of LGH Skin Department for holding the event.

Head of Skin Department Dr Sadia Siddique stressed the need to remain careful about skin changes as AIDS can be gauged through skin easily. She asked the patients to immediately contact hospital if any change occurs on skin so that proper diagnosis could be done.

Punjab AIDS Programme Head Dr Maheen Syed and Manager Operations Mohsin Arshad highlighted the efforts of Punjab government about AIDS prevention.

Prof Dr Agha Shabbir, Prof Dr Farhat Naz, Prof Mohammd Nazir, Prof Dr Farah Shafi, Nursing Superintendent Razia Bano attended the event.