Dr. Nadeem Jan says injection causing adverse reaction recalled

ISLAMABAD, Sep 24 (SABAH): Caretaker Federal Health Minister Dr. Nadeem Jan has said that upon receiving information from affected patient regarding adverse reaction of Injection Avastin he contacted the Punjab Health Minister. Immediate action to recall the injection Avastin causing adverse reaction was taken and sale and dispensation of the injection has been stopped.

The Minister made these remarks after holding meeting with Provincial Minister Primary and Secondary Health care Punjab Dr. Jamal Nasir. FIRs have been lodged against two suppliers of the injection Dr. Nadeem Jan shared. A five member committee of senior doctors and experts has been constituted with the task to probe the matter from all angles and submit report within 3 days he added. I am in constant touch with the Punjab Government and we will not rest till the matter is thoroughly probed and action taken against those responsible. The affected patients will be looked after and all possible facilities provided to give them relief.

Dr. Nadeem Jan shared that he also discussed with Punjab Health Minister the dengue situation. The situation is being managed well by punjab health authorities. In the entire Punjab province 3500 cases have been reported so far this year whereas in the corresponding period last year the number of cases was 10,000. There has also been no fatality so far it was shared. Dengue cases normally start showing a downward trend after 15th October so we need to sustain the control measures for another 3 to 4 weeks with the same zeal and focus the Minister said. On availability of medicines it was shared that at the moment there was no scarcity of essential medicines in the province and adequate stocks were available. We are committed to bring tangible improvement in the health sector, the Minister added.

Meanwhile the Caretaker Federal Minister for Health Dr. Nadeem Jan has appealed to parents to get their children vaccinated against various deadly diseases. In a video message about immunization of children, the Minister said that effective measures are being taken to ensure 100% immunization coverage. He said that the Ministry of Health is determined to ensure universal health coverage.

Dr. Nadeem Jan said frontline health workers are the real heroes of our immunization program, who perform their duties with dedication and devotion.

Meanwhile, talking to media in Islamabad on Sunday, the Minister said the government has recalled entire batch of drug, which reportedly led to outbreak of conjunctivitis among people. An investigation has been ordered into the matter.

Regarding the overall condition of Dengue in the country, he said situation is well under control and the number of dengue cases is significantly lower as compared to the previous year.