Provinces directed to identify hospitals with isolation rooms for patients

Rizwan Haider

ISLAMABAD: Saira Afzal Tarar, Minister of MoNHSRC has directed the concerned authorities to nominate Federal and Provincial DG, health as focal persons on Ebola virus disease (EVD) coordinating body. She issued these directives while chariing a high profile meeting held here Wednesday.A detailed action plan was chalked out in consultation of all stakeholders and development partners.

Saira Afzal Tarar also directed the provinces to identify hospitals in each province and federal level with isolation rooms for Ebola patients. Minister directed to initiate a strong awareness campaign throughout the country and include community level participation.

She revealed that Ministry has taken various measures to provide guidance, advice and capacity building to take preventive measures, identify suspect cases Ebola Virus Diseases (EVD) and manage the infected cases as Ministry has an important role to play through all the entry and exit points of the country through coordination with UN agencies, provinces and Pakistan Army.

She stressed the need for high quality trainings for health officials, CAA staff at the entry and exit points of the Airports.

The meeting was attended by federal and provincial level Health officials, Army, reps of Civil Aviation Authority, development partners including UNICEF and WHO. In the meeting it was agreed to notify a coordination body with representation of all partners and stakeholders and responsibilities were assigned to undertake major tasks.

It is worth mentioning here that WHO remained committed to carry out extensive trainings for the staff while UNICEF Health section has committed to support Pakistan in developing a comprehensive Communication Plan and IEC material for Ebola virus awareness across the country.