Country Head of WHO in Pakistan Dr Michel J Theiren on Tuesday appreciated the efforts of the Punjab government saying health indicators of Punjab are seen as 'very encouraging by international development partners.'"Though the population of Punjab is half of the entire country but health indicators of Punjab are seen as very encouraging. Especially, the Punjab government's efforts for elimination of polio are highly appreciated by the international partners," Dr Theiren said.
WHO's Country Head visited 'Polio Emergency Response Centre' in Directorate General Health Services Punjab. He also held a meeting with Secretary Health Jawwad Rafique Malik. Besides the members of WHO delegation, DG Health Services Dr Zahid Pervaiz, Addl. Director General Integrated Reproductive, Mother, New Born and Child Health Programme (IRMNCH) Dr Ejaz Ahmad Sheikh, Director Health (EPI) Dr Munir Ahmad, Director Health Headquarter Dr Ahmad Afefi, Director Health (CDC) and other senior officers were also present.
Dr Theiren announced that WHO would set up video link offices at provincial level for better communication and co-ordination for the improvement of health sector, prevention of diseases and timely support during natural calamities. He said this project would be started from Punjab. He assured that World Health Organisation would not only continue the ongoing support of the Punjab government but also provide logistic and technical support to cope with the situation arises by the recent flood in some districts of Punjab.
Secretary Health Jawwad Rafique Malik said that tremendous improvement has been observed in health sector by implementing Chief Minister's Health Road Map Programme in Punjab. He said that e-monitoring system for monitoring of vaccinators has been introduced for improvement of routine immunisation coverage, to ensure presence of vaccinators in the field and to check their performance. He said that this system has been named as E-Vaccs System and android phone have also been provided to all vaccinators in Punjab for this purpose. Dr Munir Ahmad Director EPI informed that Punjab is near to eliminate mother & neonatal tetanus in coming months.
Director General Health Dr Zahid Pervaiz appraised the Country Head of WHO of the situation occurred due to floods in few districts in Punjab and relief activities being carried out by the provincial government. He urged upon the WHO delegation to provide medical kits, logistic and technical support for ensuring medical relief to the people of flood-hit areas.
Secretary Health briefed the Country Head of WHO regarding outsourcing of Drug Testing Laboratory (DTL) and interacting out health facilities in 10 districts of Punjab. He requested that technical and expertise support of WHO is required to accomplish the task in a transparent way.