F.P. Report
ISLAMABAD: Punjab Caretaker Health Minister Dr Javed Akram has said that the citizens need to take special care of their health during the recent days as Punjab was adversely affected by air pollution due to heavy smog and cases of the illness causing flu-like symptoms among people, especially among elderly citizens were increasing.
Speaking to a private news channel on Tuesday, he said hinted that the new virus could be “COVID”, adding, that currently, various types of viruses are affecting the health of citizens, and children and elderly people are more affected by this virus.
Dr Javed Akram also asked citizens and residents to immediately take the seasonal influenza vaccine.
An alarming increase in the cases of respiratory infections including influenza A, B and others were being reported in hospitals, he added.
The minister advised citizens to use face masks, avoid close contact, and wash their hands to avoid the influenza virus as it is easily transmissible from an infected person to others. He also advised to adopt a healthy lifestyle as it played the main role in fighting against ailments.
Dr Javed Akram urged the authorities to take necessary measures to spread awareness about the flu while apprising the participants about the symptoms and precautions of influenza A and B.
Patients with chronic diseases such as asthma, diabetes, cardiac and lung diseases, pregnant women, elderly people, and children under five years are at higher risk of developing severe or complicated diseases, he warned.
Meanwhile, Caretaker Federal Minister for Health, Dr. Nadeem Jan on Tuesday presided over the review meeting for preparations of the Global Health Security Summit. The Global Health Security Summit is being held on January 10 and 11 in the federal capital of Pakistan.
During the meeting, Dr. Nadeem Jan was briefed on the preparations for the summit. The Global Health Security Summit will be attended by top health experts from around the world.
An integrated strategy to deal with epidemics will be formed at the global conference. The minister said that by holding the international conference, the positive image of Pakistan will be presented.
He said that holding the summit is proof that Pakistan can play a key role in the health sector.
He said that the purpose of the summit is to make Pakistan and the world safe from diseases.
Dr. Nadeem Jan said that at the summit, an action plan will be decided to strengthen the health systems of poor countries.
At the conference, work will be done to strengthen the health system before the sudden epidemic.
He said that effective measures are being taken to protect people from global epidemics. Federal Secretary Health Iftikhar Ali Shalwani and DG Health Dr. Muhammad Ahmed Qazi participated in the meeting besides other officials of the Ministry of National Health Services. (INP)
