Islamabad: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has ordered comprehensive measures to be implemented at airports, seaports, and land border entries to prevent the spread of monkeypox. These directives were issued during a review meeting on the current monkeypox situation held today, where the emphasis was on public awareness and preparedness in facing this health challenge.
According to Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, the Prime Minister emphasized the importance of vigilance despite the lack of an emergency status concerning monkeypox in Pakistan. He pointed out that the healthcare system, including the Ministry of Health and the National Disaster Management Authority, should be on high alert to handle potential cases. The establishment of quarantine centers for affected individuals was also ordered.
The meeting disclosed that only five cases of monkeypox have been diagnosed in Pakistan, all in individuals who traveled from abroad. Despite these few cases, the government remains proactive, with daily review meetings being held at the National Command and Operation Center, and ongoing communications with Pakistani embassies to monitor the situation globally.
Officials have reportedly received training on handling monkeypox, and provinces have been advised to ensure adequate supplies of testing kits and other necessary equipment. Collaboration with United Nations agencies and other international partners is ongoing to bolster Pakistan’s response capabilities.
Moreover, a nationwide helpline, 1166, has been activated, and public education efforts are being conducted through the National Institutes of Health, the Ministry of Health, and various media outlets. Quarantine centers are now operational in major cities across all provinces, and approximately 600,000 people have been screened for the virus so far.
Chief Secretaries from all provinces, including the Secretaries of Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Kashmir, participated in the meeting and contributed to the discussions on further preventive measures.