President Dr. Arif Alvi visited the National Institute of Health here today. He was briefed on the major initiatives undertaken to transform NIH by Executive Director of the Institute Prof. Dr. Aamer Ikram. Federal Health Minister Aamer Mehmood Kiani, Secretary Health Capt. (R) Zahid Saeed, Director General Health Dr. Assad Hafeez were present on the occasion. Health Minister Aamer Mehmood Kiani said NIH is a national asset and has enormous potential. The NIH is contributing towards achieving Sustainable Development Goals. One of our major targets was reviving the production of measles vaccine at NIH. This was critical in backdrop of growing incidence of the disease and epidemics of the disease in different parts of the country. With concerted collective effort we were able to achieve this objective, he said. Another major issue was upgradation of laboratory facilities, a task that had been successfully undertaken. By Allah Almighty’s grace BSL-3 laboratory that conforms to global standards was our first initiative at NIH. Prof. Dr. Aamer Ikram said the production of number of vaccines including measles, tetanus and diphtheria has been started. Landmark initiatives have been taken to bring NIH at par with international standards, he said. Production of measles vaccine for children which was stalled for 7 years has been made functional, Rs. 751 Million have been approved for production of Sera which is a major step forward and would meet critical demand of vaccine and Sera, shared Prof. Aamer Ikram. It is expected that the institute will be able to meet half of the country’s requirement for anti snake venom by June 2019. We are currently producing around 40 thousands doses annually which is a fifth of the country’s requirement. He said we cannot export vaccines without conforming to current Good Manufacturing Practices. We have prepared a policy in this regard which will be launched soon. This will enable us to export vaccines. Today, the institute is undertaking successful implementation of five years road map of International Health Regulations and Global Health Security Agenda alongwith implementation of Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response System in the country. The transparency and Good Governance at the institute has facilitated collaboration with internationally reputed health organizations that are supporting the reform process. It is for the first time that master plan of NIH has been prepared. The institute has been designated as National Public Health Institute which broadens its mandate to prevent and control diseases. For the first time Public Health Act has been drafted whereas national laboratory policy, national bio-safety policy, case definition book and bioprism. We will leave no stone unturned to take this institute further as the leading public health institution of the region, resolved Prof. Dr. Aamer Ikram. He said one million doses of measles vaccines have been produced whereas two million will be ready by June 2019. The President lauded the efforts undertaken to uplift NIH as it is the country’s premier public health institution. He underscored the importance of research and aid NIH was performing important function of Public Health Research. He asked for the institute to continue to provide opportunities to Public Health Professionals to undertake research in the field. The President went round various divisions of the institute and lauded the efforts of Executive Director NIH.
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