WHO’s Country Head in Pakistan Dr. Michel J. Theiren visited Polio Emergency Response Centre

Lahore: WHO’s Country Head in Pakistan Dr. Michel J. Theiren visited Polio Emergency Response Centre in Directorate General Health Services Punjab and held a meeting with Secretary Health Jawad Rafique Malik, Here today. Besides the members of WHO delegation, DG Health Services Dr. Zahid Pervaiz, 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 present in the meeting.

Talking to the WHO delegation, Secretary Health Jawad Rafique Malik said that tremendous improvement has been observed in Health Sector by implementing Chief Minister’s Health Road Map Programme in Punjab. He said that E-monitoring System for monitoring of vaccinators has been introduced for improvement of routine immunization coverage, to ensure presence of vaccinators in the field and to check their performance. He said that this system has been named as E-Vaccs System and android phone have also been provided to all vaccinators in Punjab for this purpose. Dr. Munir Ahmad Director EPI informed that Punjab is near to eliminate Mother & Neonatal Tetanus in coming months.

Director General Health Dr. Zahid Pervaiz appraised the Country Head of World Health Organization of the situation occurred due to 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 the people of flood-hit areas.

Secretary Health Jawad Rafique Malik briefed the Country Head of WHO regarding outsourcing of Drug Testing Laboratory (DTL) and interacting out health facilities in 10 districts of Punjab. He requested that technical and expertise support of WHO is required to accomplish the task in a transparent way.

Dr. Michel J. Theiren while appreciating the efforts of Punjab government said that though the population of Punjab is half of the entire country but health indicators of Punjab are seen as very encouraging by International Development Partners. Especially Punjab government’s efforts for elimination of polio are highly appreciated by the International Partners.

He announced that WHO would set up video link offices at provincial level for better communication and coordination for the improvement of health sector, prevention of diseases and timely support during natural calamities. He said that it would be started from Punjab. He assured that World Health Organization would not only continue the ongoing support of Punjab Government but also provide logistic and technical support to cope with the situation arise by the recent flood in some districts of Punjab.