Only one case of H1N1 seasonal influenza was reported in the provincial capital whereas medicines for seasonal influenza are available in abundance, said DG Health Punjab Dr Akhter Rasheed Malik. He expressed these views while addressing a meeting of heads of medical education institutions of Lahore, teaching hospitals and specialized healthcare departments here on Tuesday. It was chaired by Provincial Minister for Specialized Healthcare and Medical Education Khawaja Salman Rafiq. The meeting reviewed the situation of H1N1 seasonal influenza in Lahore.

Dr Akhter Rasheed Malik told the meeting that 72 year old Rashida is under treatment at Farooq Hospital. He said that so far 66 confirmed cases of seasonal influenza were reported in Punjab. The heads of teaching hospitals said that doctors and staff have been vaccinated.

On the occasion, Secretary Health Najam Shah directed all the hospitals to ensure vaccination of all concerned staff. The meeting decided to make Services Hospital as the focal hospital for the treatment of patients with seasonal influenza, which it believed will help in controlling the disease. The meeting was also told that a HDU Ward has been established in Services Hospital while other hospitals have been directed to refer their patients infected with the virus to Services Hospital.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2018