Health Department is taking steps for eradication of Ebola virus: Dr. Zahid Pervaiz

Lahore: A meeting with regard to reviewing the arrangements for checking of Ebola virus and treatment of possible patients at Services Institute of Medical Sciences, here today. Director General Health Punjab Dr. Zahid Pervaiz, Principal SIMS Prof. Dr. Hamid Mehmood Butt, Prof. Dr. Aziz-ur-Rehman, Prof. Ghazala Jaffari, Associate Prof. Sobia Qazi, Prof. Dr. Javed Gardazi, Director Health (CDC) Dr. Ahmed Afifi, MS Services Hospital Capt. (R) Muhammad Zafar, Director Emergency Services Hospital Dr. Muhammad Ashraf and Dr. Yahya Butt attended the meeting.

Dr. Sobia told the meeting that Ebola virus is a fatal disease in which 70 to 80 percent death rate has been recorded.

Prof. Gardezi said that Ebola virus is a disease of African countries and only those people suffer from it who travel to these countries. He said that there is no chance of this disease in Pakistan at present, however, steps for screening of passengers coming from abroad are necessary at the airports.

Medical experts discussed in detail about the arrangements regarding treatment of patients and spread of Ebola virus. Dr. Sobia Qazi said that the Ebola virus patient has to keep in isolation for at least 21 days and doctors, nurses and other staff providing treatment have to wear a specific uniform.

Director General Health Dr. Zahid Pervaiz said that Health Department is taking steps according to the WHO guidelines for eradication of Ebola virus and treatment of patients. He told that an ambulance of Health Department will be allocated for Lahore Airport which will shift the patients to the hospital, if needed. He told that arrangements are also being made for preparing isolation wards for Ebola virus patients.

Senior medical experts assured the meeting that they are ready to face every challenge and SIMS experts will submit their recommendations to Advisor Health within few days.