LAHORE
The medical experts have advised people to adopt precautionary measures to prevent from swine flu, which is caused by H1N1 virus.
The people must avoid direct contact with the affected persons or things under their use, use of mask and gloves by the affected persons and all those living around them and wash hands time and again. Besides, there is a need to adopt special measures by pregnant women, children and elderly and those suffering from acute diseases to guard themselves against swine flu.
“The symptoms of H1N1 swine flu are like regular flu symptoms and include fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose, body aches, headache, chills, fatigue and loss of hunger. Many people with swine flu have had diarrhoea and vomiting. But these symptoms can also be caused by many other conditions, which can only be confirmed through accurate diagnostic test,” said medical experts while addressing a seminar on “Importance and role of family physicians in combating epidemics especially swine flu in Pakistan” organised by Mir Khalil-ur-Rahman Memorial Society (Jang Group of Newspapers) in collaboration with Pakistan Academy of Family Physicians (PAFP) here at a local hotel.
Speaking on the occasion, Director General Health Services, Punjab, Dr Amjad Shahzad revealed that there was no case of swine flu registered in Punjab so far, while claiming, actually the people were unable to combat influenza due to weak immunity. “There is no case of swine flu registered in Pakistan after 2009; therefore, it is a waste of time to give credence to futile propaganda about presence of swine flu in the country.
However, he said that the Punjab government was not ignorant regarding preparedness to fight against swine flu and immediately turned emergency areas and Dengue Wards into Influenza Wards in all hospitals. He said that Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif was himself monitoring the situation, whereas chief secretary, secretary health and all stakeholders were holding daily meetings to devise plan to combat any imminent threat of swine flu in the province.
Anjum Nisar, former President LCCI and Patron PAFP, said that the Punjab government had failed to give priority to health sector as health facilities were like a small cumin seed in a camel’s mouth, adding that the situation in hospitals was pathetic as there were two to three patients lying on one bed. “The people are dying of disease and hunger, but the government is not moved at all,” he said, adding that there was a need to shake the government’s conscience to make them serve the nation in true sense.
Dr Somia Iqtidar said that swine flu was caused by H1N1 virus, adding that there was no need to panic as not every flu is H1N1. “The primary symptoms of swine flu were severe fever, flu, cough and heavy sneezing in addition to headache, muscle and joint pains, etc., adding that the people must adopt precautionary measures to prevent the swine flu virus.
The PAFP President Dr Aftab Iqbal Sheikh said that family physicians formed the backbone of healthcare structure in the country, adding that family physicians remained on the forefront in times of crises like floods, earthquake, and IDPs’ settlement or during the outbreak of any epidemic like dengue, measles or swine flu.
The PAFP Senior Vice-President Dr Altaf Cheema said that PAFP was going to organise its 26th Annual International Family Medicine Conference from February 5 to 7 in Lahore, whose registration was now open as it would give doctors 18 credit hours. He said that there would be special sessions on hypertension, diabetes, ultrasound, thyroid and other diseases. Besides, PAFP Secretary General Dr Nadeem Khawaja, Dr Anjum Saleem and others also spoke, while MKRMS Chairman Wasif Nagi conducted the seminar.
