‘Health indicators in Punjab encouraging’

LAHORE
The World Health Organization (WHO) Country Head in Pakistan Dr. Michel J. Theiren visited Polio Emergency Response Centre in Directorate General Health Services Punjab and held a meeting with Health Secretary Jawwad Rafique Malik on Tuesday.
Talking to the WHO delegation, Health Secretary Jawwad Rafique Malik said that tremendous improvement had been observed in the health sector by implementing Chief Minister’s Health Road Map Programme in Punjab. “An e-monitoring system for monitoring of vaccinators has been introduced for improvement of routine immunisation coverage, to ensure the presence of vaccinators in the field and to check their performance,” he added. He said the system had been named as E-Vaccs System and Android phones were provided to all vaccinators in Punjab for the purpose. Dr Munir Ahmad, Director EPI, said that Punjab was about to eliminate mother and neonatal tetanus in coming months.
Director General Health Dr Zahid Pervaiz apprised the country head of World Health Organization of the situation after floods in few districts in Punjab and relief activities being carried out by the provincial government. He urged upon the WHO delegation to provide medical kits, logistic and technical support for ensuring medical relief to people of flooded areas. Health Secretary Jawwad Rafique Malik briefed the WHO team about outsourcing of the Drug Testing Laboratory (DTL) and interacting out health facilities in 10 districts of Punjab. He said that technical and expertise support of WHO was required to accomplish the task in a transparent way.
Dr. Michel J. Theiren while appreciating the efforts of the Punjab government said that though the population of Punjab was half of the entire country but health indicators of Punjab were very encouraging. “Punjab government efforts for elimination of polio are highly appreciated by international partners,” he added. He announced that WHO would set up video link offices at provincial level for better communication and coordination for the improvement of the health sector, prevention of diseases and timely support during natural calamities. He said that it would be started from Punjab. He said that World Health Organization would not only continue supporting the Punjab Government but also provide logistic and technical support to cope with the situation after recent floods in some districts of Punjab. Addl Director General Integrated Reproductive, Mother, New Born and Child Health Programme (IRMNCH) Dr. Ejaz Ahmad Sheikh, Director Health (EPI) Dr. Munir Ahmad, Director Health Headquarter Dr. Ahmad Afefi, Director Health (CDC) and other senior officers were also present.