The Punjab government is launching a campaign for the prevention and control of hepatitis which will include a registration of hepatitis patients so that treatment can be provided to all of them.
This was decided at a meeting chaired by the Planning and Development (P&D) Department Chairman Jehanzeb Khan here on Saturday. Sentinel sites would be established in all the tertiary care centres and district and tehsil headquarters hospitals for the diagnosis, registration, and treatment of hepatitis-C patients by trained doctors and nursing staff.
The chairman said that a comprehensive campaign should be launched in the province for creating awareness and motivating hepatitis patients towards registration. Elected public representatives and local bodies should also be taken on board, the chairman said.
Jehanzeb Khan said that spending billions of rupees on the prevention and treatment of hepatitis patients was an investment through which these patients would be able to return back to normal life and earn for their families.
Specialized Healthcare and Medical Education Minister Salman Rafique said that the provision of quality healthcare services and prevention of diseases was being worked on by both the health departments.
Minister for Primary and Secondary Health Imran Nazir said that “public sector hospitals are providing medical cover to millions of patients and thousands are being cured daily.”
P&D Chairman Jehanzeb Khan said that the Punjab government would provide funds through the Punjab Hepatitis Control Programme for the training and capacity building of doctors and nurses for providing treatment to all registered patients. He said that government hospitals and the hepatitis control programme were an important source of medical treatment for poor patients.
Earlier, Punjab Hepatitis Control Programme Director Dr Zaida Sarwar briefed the meeting, saying that so far the programme had provided treatment to 30,000 hepatitis patients.
Health Department Member Dr Shabana Haider informed said that the health insurance scheme is also providing health cover for poor patients. Pakistan Kidney & Liver Institute (PKLI) President Prof Saeed Akhtar assured the attendees of the meeting that the PKLI was ready to extend all cooperation and technical expertise to the Punjab government for the prevention of hepatitis.
Health Primary and Secondary Health Special Secretary Dr Faisal Zahoor, Specialized Healthcare Special Secretary Dr Sajid Mehmood Chohan, PGMI/LGH Principal Prof Ghaus-un-Nabi, Gujranwala Medical College Principal Prof Aftab Mohsin, Punjab Hepatitis Control Programme Director Zahida Sarwar, Additional Secretary Technical Dr Asim and other officers also attended the meeting.
