LAHORE: A WHO seven-member delegation arrived here on Wednesday to review arrangements made to check Ebola virus.

The delegation, including Dr Rayana Boughaka, Dr Musa Rahim, Dr Muntazirul Hashim, Dr Khalil, Dr Wasik Khan, Dr Mohammad Salman and Dr Jamshed Ahmed, visited Lahore airport and Services Hospital Institute of Public Health to review steps taken for the Ebola virus prevention.

During their two-day stay in the city, the WHO officials will meet medical experts, Civil Aviation, Immigration and FIA officials, besides other departments concerned and get information regarding their preparedness against Ebola virus. They will also give a briefing to the officials.

They will prepare recommendations for the Punjab health department in order to check spread of the most dangerous virus of the world in the country.

In a meeting on Wednesday, the health officials briefed the delegation about the preparations made by the Punjab government for the prevention of Ebola disease.

Health Secretary Jawad Rafiq Malik said WHO guidelines and SOPs were being followed for checking Ebola virus and further guidance would be sought from the visitors in this regard. He asked the delegation to help Pakistan purchase safety kits from international market for the staff and doctors who would treat Ebola patients, if traced in the country.

Delegation head Dr Rayana Boughaka assured the officials of WHO’s cooperation for the purchase of thermal scanners, thermal guns and safety kits from international market.

Published in Dawn, November 27th , 2014