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Govt in fast process to preempt any possibility of Ebola: Saira
Minister says no need to get panic with regard to Ebola, prudence demands adequate measures to counter its possibility in Pakistan
APPKARACHI - Despite minimal chances of Ebola outbreak in Pakistan, the government - realising that virus holds no barriers - is in fast process to take all precautionary measures to combat any possibility of it, said State Minister for National Health Services, Regulation and Coordination Saira Afzal Tarar on Wednesday evening.
Sharing details of the measures adopted by the federal government against polio as well as Ebola, at a press conference at the airport here after a day-long visit to provincial capital Karachi during which she held detailed meetings to review measures adopted for polio eradication, prevention of Ebola and health related situation in Tharparkar, she said that the federal government has extended all possible support to the Sindh government in addressing these issues.
“This is despite the fact that provincial government is primarily responsible to address all the three major issues yet federal government can not keep itself detached and is keen to assist the former,” she said. With a view to preempt and also handle Ebola related situation in future, the federal government has constituted a Rapid Disposal Team that includes health professionals and also a World Health Organisation (WHO) technical person to ensure immediate intervention if and when any case is reported.
In reply to a question, she said that airports at Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad are equipped with thermal scanners that are capable to detect person suffering from fever and flu, extremely important as these are included among the symptoms of Ebola, and people arriving in Pakistan from Ebola endemic countries with the conditions could be immediately quarantined for necessary screening and observation for a period that may establish their exact status.
“Moreover, all airlines running their service, as per international law, are also bound to intimate us, as to any other country - wherefrom they are - carrying infected person or with associated risks from the endemic region,” she said. To another query, she said that kits are also being provided to all provincial hospitals and facilities with notified isolation wards besides provision for required training for doctors and other staff of these notified facilities in coordination with WHO.
She reiterated that there was no need to get panicked with regard to Ebola, however, prudence demanded adequate measures to counter its possibility in Pakistan. About Polio, she said that measures for its eradication are being taken a war footing as this has also turned into a matter of national dignity and has its economic implications too for Pakistan, besides a matter linked to fate of our children and also that of kids around the globe.
In context of travel restrictions imposed by certain countries, she said that doable measures are being taken to address the situation. About situation in Tharparkar, she said that it was unfortunate and the federal government has offered Sindh authorities to share about its requirements so as to handle the crisis with specific reference to nutritional support in terms of supplements and also vitamin A and D doses.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk