ICU has been set up at Services Hospital for expected patients of Ebola

Lahore: Punjab Chief Secretary Naveed Akram Cheema has directed that a dedicated committee be set up for controlling the arrival of Ebola virus in Pakistan and effective coordination between federal and provincial departments for this purpose. He said that coordinated efforts be made by provincial government, federal institutions, airport authorities and other agencies for prevention against Ebola virus. The Chief Secretary further said that Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has issued special instructions in this regard and additional funds will also be provided for this purpose if needed.

He was presiding over a high level meeting at Civil Secretariat, here today to review the situation regarding Ebola virus and preventive measures against this menace in Pakistan. Advisor on Health Khawaja Salman Rafique especially participated in the meeting. Secretary Health Javed Rafiq Malik, Director General Health, Commissioners Lahore, Gujranwala and Multan divisions, Principal Services Institute of Medical Sciences Prof. Hamid Mehmood Butt, Dean Institute of Public Health Prof. Muaz Ahmad, Managers Lahore, Sialkot and Multan Airports, Director FIA, Representative of World Health Organization Dr. Jamshed Ahmad and other medical experts were present.

Secretary Health Jawad Rafique Malik told that an isolation ICU has been set up at Services Hospital in view of expected patients of Ebola virus and 15 protective dresses supplied by WHO have been provided to doctors and staff posted at the isolation ward. He said that WHO will provide additional protective dresses by December this year. He said that ambulance has also been provided at airport for shifting any suspected Ebola virus patient immediately into quarantine. Manager Lahore Airport Rashid Muhammad Hassan told that a quarantine has been established at Lahore airport. DG Health Dr. Zahid Pervaiz informed that training has been provided to doctors of Health Department through a training workshops arranged by WHO in Lahore, Rawalpindi and Multan. WHO representative Dr. Jamshed said that passengers coming on international flights who have a travel history to African countries where Ebola virus is found is essential to keep them under observation. Prof. Hamid Mehmood Butt said that there is no medicine or vaccination available in the world against Ebola virus.

Chief Secretary directed that Health Department Punjab and other provincial departments with the help of federal government should evolve SOPs and the guidelines of medical experts and WHO should be strictly implemented. He further directed that Pak-army should also be contacted for obtaining its guidance against Ebola virus.

Chief Secretary further directed that the dedicated committee immediately be constituted. He said that Ebola is a deadly virus and negligence in this regard could lead to serious consequences. Kh. Salman Rafiq said that there is need for evolving a permanent strategy against Ebola with the consultation between Health Department Punjab, WHO and National Institute of Health. He said that representatives of federal government should also be included in the dedicated committee established by Chief Secretary Punjab.