Foreign office should seek information from the embassies regarding persons from African countries affected by Ebola coming to Pakistan and a mechanism should be devised for getting information from different airlines in this regard, said Punjab Chief Secretary Naveed Akram Cheema while presiding over a meeting of steering committee for reviewing steps taken for eradication of polio and checking transfer of Ebola virus to Pakistan at Civil Secretariat on Saturday.
Advisor for Health Khawaja Salman Rafique, elected representatives, secretary health, secretary home, secretary information, commissioners, DCOs, Civil Aviation Authority, Federal Health Department director general and representatives of FIA, immigration, Foreign Office, airport authorities, senior officers of Punjab Health Department, World Health Organisation, Bill Gates Foundation and Rotary Club attended the meeting. Officers of provincial and federal departments informed the meeting about the details regarding checking of Ebola virus.
He directed the federal and provincial departments to take coordinated measures for preventing the transfer of Ebola virus to Pakistan and ensure implementation of guidelines provided by World Health Organisation.
Federal Director General Health said that rapid response team has been constituted in Islamabad and the provinces should also set up such teams. Representative of WHO Dr Jamshaid apprised about the guidelines of WHO for checking Ebola virus. Secretary Health Jawad Rafique Malik said that Health department is taking steps for checking Ebola virus in accordance with the guidelines of WHO. The chief secretary directed that implementation on guidelines of Health department should be ensured. He stressed upon federal departments to work more actively regarding the movement of passengers from affected African countries to Pakistan. All institutions of the government will extend cooperation to them in this regard, he added.
A subcommittee headed by Punjab Advisor Health Salman Rafique was constituted which include officers of the Health, Home, Immigration, FIA, Federal Health departments, Civil Aviation Authority, ASF and other departments concerned. This committee will supervise the measures regarding eradication of Ebola virus and submit its report again after ten days. The chief secretary also directed all departments concerned to nominate their focal persons for the eradication of Ebola virus.