The task force formed by the Prime Minister to address the prevention of HIV cases has proposed screening deported passengers at airports.
According to the Ministry of Health spokesperson, the Prime Minister took notice of the reported HIV cases and constituted a high level task force, whose second meeting was held under the chairmanship of Minister of State for Health Dr. Mukhtar Bharath.
The meeting was attended by task force members and representatives of relevant institutions, including former Special Assistant on Health Dr. Zafar Mirza, retired Major General Azhar Mahmood Kayani, former Commandant of the Armed Forces Institute of Cardiology and Chairman of the Task Force, the Special Secretary Interior Islamabad, and the Additional Secretary Health and DG Health.
In addition, Dean of the Institute of Public Health Lahore Dr. Saira Afzal, Vice Chancellor of Health Services Academy Dr. Shahzad Ali Khan, infectious disease expert Dr. Sabiha Qazi, and provincial health secretaries participated in the meeting via video link.
Officials from the National Institute of Health, DRAP, provincial health departments, UNAIDS, and the Common Management Unit were also present during the meeting.
Minister of State for Health Dr. Mukhtar Bharath said that the purpose of the task force is to investigate the matter, identify those responsible, and formulate recommendations to prevent such incidents in the future.
He said that the task force was directed to conduct a comprehensive investigation into incidents involving the reuse of contaminated syringes, while members of the task force presented their suggestions and recommendations.
The task force proposed that NIH, CDC, and CMU should activate a dashboard to ensure a real time data system through which HIV case monitoring, trend analysis, and coordination systems can be made more effective.
According to the task force, there was agreement on preparing a National Public Health Law to prevent the spread of HIV in the country through unsafe medical practices.
The task force stated that there was agreement on presenting a comprehensive report to formulate more effective and practical recommendations for the control of infectious diseases. It added that although significant progress has been made in the use of auto disable syringes, many challenges still remain in the effective implementation of safe medical practices.
The task force stressed the need to further strengthen infection prevention and control measures across the country and recommended making HIV testing mandatory in the nationwide screening process.
The task force recommended ensuring regular inspections of medical centers and pharmacies, imposing strict fines for violations, and taking strict action against the sale or mislabeling of reusable syringes.
The task force said that effective implementation of patient safety protocols must be ensured and all healthcare commissions across the country should guarantee regulatory enforcement under all circumstances.
The task force proposed ensuring the timely availability of essential medical supplies so that syringes are not reused, while testing, treatment, and preventive facilities should be ensured for high-risk groups and affected areas.
During the meeting, the task force said that HIV should be included in the list of notifiable diseases and that a nationwide awareness campaign should be launched. The task force assigned clear responsibilities to relevant institutions for practical and sustainable measures.
The task force said that steps should be taken to prevent the misuse of syringes and IV sets, while evidence based effective measures should be adopted to prevent the spread of HIV and other blood borne diseases.
The task force proposed making HIV testing mandatory before surgeries in hospitals, while DRAP should carry out a strict and effective crackdown against reusable syringes across the country.
The task force recommended that DRAP ensure strict and continuous monitoring of all medical stores, pharmacies, and distribution networks, while all healthcare commissions across the country should be fully activated, strengthened, and empowered.
The task force said that the Healthcare Commission will take concrete measures to ensure effective and timely implementation of the task force recommendations, while the state should ensure the provision of medicines and quality medical support at the doorstep of children affected by HIV.
In addition, a proposal was also presented that border health services should ensure the screening of deported individuals at airports and entry points.
