ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for National Health Services Aamer Mehmood Kiani visited the Islamabad International Airport on Wednesday to see arrangements in place by airport health authorities to prevent cross-border transmission of disease.
He said that the current government is working on strengthening health departments and Directorate of Central Health Establishment at all points of entry, especially airports. He said that funds have been allocated by the Ministry of National Health Services for improvement in infrastructure and uniformity in health departments at all international borders. The minister informed that full-body scanners have been operationalised at Islamabad, Peshawar, Lahore and Karachi airports and they are also being installed at all point of entries of the country.
He said that quarantine and isolation facilities at all airports will be provided. Recently a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with China had been signed to control cross-border disease spread during the visit of Prime Minister Imran Khan, he added. He said that polio vaccination is also being provided at the airports. The minister directed the authorities to take steps for the improvement of health security at all international borders and issue instructions for better health facilities at ports and land crossing.
The objective of the full-body scanners is to scan any contraband item or currency that is hidden behind the clothes of any suspected passenger. It will help curb attempts of money laundering. The machine will check the said items hidden under the clothes that are attached to the body of any suspected passenger. Only suspected passengers shall be checked through the machine. It is not harmful and is quite different from the body x-ray machine. It was procured by CAA while Airport Security Force will operate it.
The minister further added that a website has been designed to spread awareness among passengers regarding health-related problems during international travel and it will be launched soon.