RECORDER REPORT

LAHORE: The Punjab government is running a comprehensive programme of prevention of diseases on which billions of rupees are being spent, Punjab Minister for Primary & Secondary Health Khawaja Imran Nazir, said.

While inaugurating hepatitis screening week at DHQ Hospital Kasur, on Monday, he said that Chief Minister’s commitment is to make Punjab a hepatitis-free province and whole team of Health department is working to achieve this target.

For this purpose, “Hepatitis Screening and Vaccination Week” is being observed in Punjab from May 22 to 27, during which free test facility and vaccination would be provided to common man.

Officers of district administration, CEO Health Kasur Dr Abdul Majeed, Dr Javed Iqbal and workers of PML-N also present on the occasion.

Khawaja Imran Nazir said the week is being observed on the direction of Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif to raise awareness among the people to prevent them from the disease.

He said that Blood Transfusion Authority has also been activated to check the blood born diseases, while proper disposal of hospital’s waste, awareness among the barbers and dentists is also being created to sensitize them regarding sterilization of instruments.

He said that vaccination and treatment of hepatitis both are very costly, therefore, the government has decided to celebrate hepatitis week to provide free access to health facilities to the common man. He directed the officers of the department to create maximum awareness among the people and facilitate them for the vaccination.

Moreover, Khawaja Imran Nazir also visited the DHQ Hospital. He went to different wards, medicine store, emergency, outdoor, record room etc. He inquired after the health of the patients and asked about the treatment facilities being extended to them.

Sources said the Punjab government has planned to set up “Hepatitis Filter Clinics” in every district of the province and 36 such clinics will start functioning by the end of this year.