Measures to control H1N1 remained in spotlight in the meeting of EDOs

Lahore: Measures to control H1N1 remained in spotlight in the monthly Executive District Officers (H) meeting here in the Directorate General Services on Saturday.

Advisor to Chief Minister on Health Khawaja Salman Rafique chaired the meeting with Secretary Primary and Secondary Healthcare Ali Jan Khan and Director General Health Services Punjab Dr. Amjad Shahzad present as co chairs. Besides the the EDOs (H) of Punjab’s 36 districts, Chief Minister Roadmap team, Punjab Information Technology Board, Policy and Strategic Planning Unit, Program Managers, UNICEF, WHO and international development partners attended the meeting.

The Secretary directed that swift response be ensured for supply of curative medicines for H1N1 flu. The DG Health Dr. Amjad Shahzad said that adequate stock of Tamiflu tablets were available with the DG office and directed the districts to stay continuously in touch with the CDC. It was also shared that the staff engaged in the treatment of H1N1 was being completely vaccinated. The EDOs (H) were asked to review other protective arrangements for the staff as per given SoPs.

Director EPI Dr. Munir Ahmed asked EDOs (H) to engage the newly elected local bodies representatives for support in PEI/EPI activities. He shared that following lab confirmation of polio case in Rahim Yar Khan, case response will be conducted from 27-29 Jan in Districts Rahim Yar Khan, Rajan Pur, Dera Ghazi Khan and Tehsil Ahmad Pur Sharqia of District Bahawalpur. He said as part of global switch from tOPV to bOPV, the districts must ensure utilization of OPV stock by March and submit forms filled by the laboratories (public & private sector) regarding non-availability of any material having P2 virus. He emphasized that prime importance be given to register, map and vaccinate migrant/mobile children against polio and other VPDs.

The Chief Minister Roadmap team shared data analysis on staff presence, biometric attendance, hospital cleanliness, medicines availability and stock/supplies situation, safe deliveries with an overall EDOs scorecard. It was shared that disciplinary action will be taken on unauthorized leave and for not ensuring hospital cleanliness.

The Chair also reviewed data on sanitation and hygiene situation in different district. It was also announced that Punjab has started a new surveillance on deaths related to Mother and Neo Natal Tetanus and a mechanism for the same shared with EDOs.