PESHAWAR, Aug 20: The NWFP Health Department will launch a hepatitis prevention programme in the province.

A decision in this regard was taken at a meeting to review the Prime Minister Hepatitis Control Programme in the province.

The meeting, presided over by the provincial health minister, decided to support the prime minister’s programme by launching the provincial hepatitis control programme.

It also formed a committee under Additional Secretary Health Younus Javed with Dr Mohammad Ijaz Khan, Dr Aamir Ghafoor, Dr Mohammad Zafar and Sher Gul Khan as members to ensure prompt implementation of the programme tasked to furnish its recommendations within a week.

Assistant Director Health Dr Ihsanullah Turabi will act as focal person for the Prime Minister Hepatitis Control Programme.

The meeting was informed that the vaccine and syringes had been provided to eight districts under the prime minister’s programme, whereas six more districts would receive the supplies in a few days.

The meeting was also informed about lack of storage facilities in several districts and recommended the appointment of trained persons at the district level to implement the programme.

It decided to establish a central distribution office in the city to collect record of patients from the districts and make supplies of the vaccine and drugs accordingly.

It was also decided that funds would be allocated in the annual development programme to raise the level of awareness regarding hepatitis among people.