Health Secretary reviews monkeypox preparedness

Jammu, August 21

In the light of recent declaration of monkeypox as an emergency by the World Health Organisation (WHO), Secretary, Health & Medical Education, Syed Abid Rashid Shah reviewed the preparedness of public health agencies across Jammu and Kashmir.

During the meeting, the Secretary directed all stakeholders to take proactive measures to ensure full preparedness to handle any situation. He asked all HODs to conduct mock drills across the state and to impart training to all health officials regarding logistics and transportation concerned with potential situations.

He asked all HODs to set up dedicated isolation wards across all health facilities in the state for the purpose. Also, the HODs were directed to ensure activation of testing, treating, contact tracing centres for monkeypox virus, should there be a need.

All the HODs were directed to review the stock position of related consumables, disposables and drugs to ensure that everything is in place at grassroot level in case need arises.

Officials of J&K Medical Supplies Corporation Limited was asked to strengthen the supply and demand of logistics like testing kits, PPE kits, disposable and drugs. All the institutions across J&K were directed to maintain high vigil for any exigency.