The Punjab government is set to launch 'integrated program for hepatitis control' to fight out the disease. "The provincial health departments, PKLI, Punjab Hepatitis Control Program and other specialized healthcare institutions would adopt a joint strategy to eradicate hepatitis and to control liver and kidney diseases for which an integrated way forward would be prepared," Secretary Specialized Healthcare & Medical Education (SH&ME) Najam Ahmad Shah, said, while chairing a joint meeting of all the stake holders, here today.
President, Pakistan Kidney & Liver Transplantation & Research Center (PKLI) Dr Saeed Akhtar, PKLI team, Special Secretary Health Development Usman Mauzam, Chief Executive (IDAP) Mujahid Sherdil, Additional Secretary Development Shahid Rehman, Chief Planning Officer Abdul Haq Bhatti, Principal Post Graduate Medical Institute/LGH Professor Ghayas Un Nabi Tayeb, Deputy Program Manager Hepatitis Control, Primary & Secondary Health Department Dr Shaban, Chief Executive Internal Policy & Strategic Planning Unit Professor Ahsan Waheed Rathor, Consultant SH&ME Ms. Aimen Majeed & other concerned officers attended the meeting. The meeting was informed that so far 2626260 people have been vaccinated against Hepatitis-B.
Najam Ahmad Shah directed that a scope of working of all the stake holders should be prepared and all the specialized institutions of urology and kidney diseases of Multan, Bahawalpur, Rawalpindi, PKLI also be taken on board so that a consolidated data of the patients could be gathered. He informed that 17 gastroenterology units are being setup in the tertiary care hospitals on which billions of rupees are being spent.