LAHORE: A high-level meeting of heads of medical institutions of Lahore, teaching hospitals and specialised healthcare departments was held on Tuesday. Presided by the provincial minister for specialised healthcare and medical education Kh. Salman Rafiq, the meeting reviewed the situation of H1N1 seasonal Influenza in Lahore.
DG Health Punjab Dr Akhter Rasheed Malik told that only one case has been reported in Lahore, while the patient, 72-year-old Rashida is under treatment. He also said that an abundant quantity of the drugs needed for the treatment of seasonal influenza is available and there is no dearth of such medicines.
The heads of teaching hospitals said that the concerned doctors and other staff members have been vaccinated to save them from this disease. Health secretary Najam Shah directed immediate vaccination of any staff members that have not yet been immunised, in a bid to keep them safe from the disease.
The meeting decided to depute Services Hospital as the focal hospital for the treatment of seasonal influenza patients. The meeting noted that it will help overcome the spread of the disease. An HDU ward has been established in the Services Hospital and all other hospitals have been directed to refer their patients to Services Hospital if any case of seasonal influenza is reported to them.
Health DG Dr Akhter Rasheed further said that so far 66 confirmed cases of seasonal influenza have been reported across Punjab.
Provincial minister Kh. Imran Nazir said that a number of patients who died of seasonal influenza were already suffering from more than one disease. He said that the health department has conducted mortality audit of all the deceased.
Salman Rafiq directed that the awareness campaign should be continued to sensitise the masses regarding the adoption of safety measures, and the hospitals’ staff should ensure to utilise their personal protective kits while treating such patients.
The meeting was attended by minister primary and secondary health Kh. Imran Nazir, secretary specialised health Najam Ahmed Shah, special secretary Dr Sajid Chuhan and other concerned senior officials.