Federal Minister for National Health Services Aamer Mehmood Kiani visited Islamabad International Airport today to review arrangements in place by Airport Health authorities to prevent and protect cross border transmission of disease. The Government is obliged to implement International Health Regulations 2005 by World Health Organization for this purpose. This IHR-05 is an international law and 197 states are signatory. During this visit, the Minister examined the arrangements and facilities to cater the new initiatives of PM for pre-departure of immigration of Pakistani Hajis. To facilitate Hajjis Polio and Meningitis vaccinations will be checked strictly at airports. The Hajjis will be revaccinated for Polio vaccine at airport to ensure protection from poliomyelitis alongwith Saudi health authorities. Medical cover will be provided at airports to all outgoing Hajjis. The Minister said the current government is stressing to strengthen Directorate of Central Health Establishment at all points of entry, especially airports. He said steps have been taken by Ministry of National Health Services for improvement in infrastructures, IT and uniforms etc. in health departments at all international borders. The Minister informed that thermal scanners have been operationalized at Islamabad, Peshawar, Lahore and Karachi airports while same are being installed at all point of entries of country in near future. "A website has been designed to help passengers, awareness of health related problems of international travel will be launched soon", the Minister added. He said Quarantine and isolation facilities at all airports will be provided. Recently an MoU with China has been signed to control cross border disease spread during China visit of Prime Minister Imran Khan. Government of china will provide help in establishing health facilities at Gawadar, Karachi, Islamabad and Sust borders. This MOU is of vital importance in preview of CPEC. Minister informed that the paradigm of CHE is being shifted from clinical to public health side. For this purpose, rudimentary and underutilized posts have been re-shuffled to all POE’s and recruitment against these posts are underway. PC-I for department has been finalized for HR and infrastructure improvements. Departments Revamping plan has been prepared and summary has been prepared for prime Minister's approval. Minister has taken notice of encroachment of different Dispensaries at Karachi and has issued orders to solve the problem.
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