ISLAMABAD, March 2: Bird flu has hit 36 countries but no case of its human-to-human transmission has so far been reported from any part of the world - a situation that could pose a serious threat to humanity.

Health Minister Mohammad Nasir Khan said this while talking to reporters after opening a three-day International Symposium 2006 held at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims) here on Thursday.

“Necessary measures have already been taken by the government to meet any emergency in case of an outbreak of this deadly disease, as H5N1 is a smart virus that could be detrimental to humans,” the minister said.

Quarantine units have been set up in all state-run hospitals to isolate victims in case of any epidemic, he said, adding that all precautionary measures for the doctors and paramedics had also been arranged to secure them against contracting the disease during the treatment of patients.

Moreover, the minister said, enough medicines and vaccines had also been procured and stocked to meet the situation, while the World Health Organization (WHO) had also ensured providing a steady supply of medicines in case of bird flu outbreak.

The minister said that the government would bear the entire cost of rehabilitating those quake patients, who either suffered spinal injuries or had their limbs amputated.

The 40 seconds during which the earth shook like a leaf had changed the lives of our people for ever, he observed and recalled that the dedication and commitment shown by the doctors, nurses, paramedics, especially by the people of the country, had helped the government to timely respond to the gigantic task.

He also tasked the Pims executive director, Dr Fazle Hadi, to ensure that all senior consultants of the hospital at least trained three junior doctors to produce world class medical professionals.

Referring to the publication of blasphemous caricatures by some European newspapers, he said it could not be equated with the freedom of expression. It was rather freedom to vulgarity and freedom to hurt 1.5 billion Muslims of this planet, he emphasized. The Holy Prophet (PBUH) is very close to our hearts and the publication of sketches was uncalled-for, he added.

He also deplored that the entire medical facilities worth $35 billion in the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMRO) had been completely destroyed and countries in this region had been pushed to the stone age by making them beggars.

It is the policy of the government and the health ministry to enhance and improve the health delivery system throughout the country which is evident from the fact that the budgetary allocation has been increased to 300 per cent during the last three years, he said, adding the government intended to scale it up further.

He said 120 original research papers would be read during the instant symposium that would prove to be a major knowledge- sharing forum.

In his welcome address, Dr Fazle Hadi said that gaining of knowledge, sharing of knowledge and instructions through workshops was the primary aim of the Pims symposium. The Pims symposium had become a landmark in the health calendar of Pakistan and was certain to grow from strength to strength, he said.

The ED also gave a brief presentation on the hospital’s services provided to the quake survivors. He said a burns unit in Pims would be established in next six months followed by a cardiac centre and an animal house in 18 months, a liver transplant unit in two years and a tower block in three years, while a trauma centre was also being planned.