The Primary & Secondary Health Department of Punjab government has launched a vigorous campaign for the prevention of diseases under which biometric registration of transporters would be conducted.
This registration would conduct blood screening of truck drivers for diagnosis of Hepatitis B,C, AIDS, syphilis and other infectious diseases. The project has been initiated from Babu Sabu Truck stand at Bund Road by advisor to Chief Minister Punjab on Health Kh. Salman Rafique on Tuesday.
The Project Director Punjab AIDS Control Programme and Additional Secretary Primary & Secondary Health Dr. Adnan Zafar, officers of the department, President Truck Drivers Association Ch. Zulfiqar and a large number of drivers were present on the occasion. Kh. Salman Rafique said truck drivers contribute to trade and economic activities in the country transporting goods worth millions of rupees from one place to another with honesty and integrity. He further added that good health of everyone involved in this business is of extreme importance. He mentioned that the government is promoting the slogan of “prevention is better than cure” and the launch of this project is a part of this particular strategy.
The health team would conduct biometric registration of drivers and take blood samples for screening. He revealed that rapid blood test for hepatitis B would be conducted on the spot and in the case of a positive report hepatitis B vaccine would be immediately administered to the concerned person. Moreover, remaining tests reports received in following days would be kept confidential and if blood reports of any person turned out to be positive then their treatment would be free of cost.
He disclosed that the scope of the project would be expanded to other districts with a registration target of 1.5 lakh which would be completed within a year’s time. Kh. Salman Rafique said that community participation is essential to make the programme a success. He appreciated the cooperation provided by the President Truck Drivers Association Ch. Zulfiqar and other office-bearers as well. He further mentioned that eradication of lethal diseases is essential to forming a healthy society. He said that government spends Rs.15 billion on the prevention of polio including the expenditure of salaries of polio workers, adding that polio workers often face the ire of certain segments of society. He further said that if people adopt a culture of vaccination billions of rupees can be saved.
