MULTAN - The Punjab government has sent a team of specialist doctors to Multan for the treatment of Seasonal Influenza (H1N1) and the team has been deployed at Nishtar Hospital while a massive influenza vaccination drive has been launched in Multan region, disclosed Khawaja Imran Nazir, Punjab minister for primary and secondary health.

Briefing media on efforts to contain the disease outbreak, the minister said that the team would also investigate into the causes for the outbreak and submit a report soon. He said that with the special focus on Multan hospitals, the Punjab government has allocated special budget for this purpose. He disclosed that Prime Minister National Insurance Health Plan is being launched in 17 districts of Punjab and it would be kicked off from South Punjab. 

He said that the government has taken steps on war footing to control outbreak of Seasonal Influenza (H1N1) and the patients are being offered full medical support at isolation ward. He said that all patients coming to Nishtar Hospital are being given full attention and screening is being carried out with utmost care. He declared that plenty of influenza vaccine is available at Nishtar hospital while the health department has launched an emergency vaccination drive besides awareness campaign. He asked doctors, nurses and other medical staff to adopt all precautionary measures while treating H1N1 affected persons. He issued order for the vaccination of entire medical staff. Punjab Health Secretary (specialised) Najam Shah said that a special team comprising expert doctors from Lahore has been deployed at Nishtar Hospital.

He declared that the entire machinery of health department is available to eliminate influenza. He directed the Nishtar Hospital authorities to ensure timely shifting of influenza patients to isolation ward from emergency besides shifting suspected patients from private hospitals to Nishtar.

Meanwhile, addressing a meeting, the minister said that Seasonal Influenza was a contagious disease and every individual would have to play role for its prevention. He added that the influenza was a curable disease and the people needed to adopt precautionary measures instead of getting worried. Earlier, visiting Children Complex Hospital, the minister said that Punjab's health map was a role model for other provinces. He claimed that the revolutionary steps taken by the government for the welfare of the public would bring triumph to the PML-N in coming elections. He claimed that the performance of the government forced even the critiques of the regime to praise the government.

Earlier, the minister and the secretary visited blood lab, emergency ward and ICU of Nishtar Hospital as well as extension block of Children Complex Hospital. He also enquired about the health of the patients.

Currently, as many as 18 patients of seasonal influenza are under treatment at Nishtar Hospital out of which eight have been tested positive while the reports of the remaining are awaited. The influenza outbreak has turned into an epidemic in Multan as it has killed 12 citizens so far. The health authorities have warned that next 20 days are critical and the influenza vaccine has been supplied to Nishtar hospital.