Amid growing global concerns about the spread of monkeypox (mpox), Pakistan has ramped up efforts to prevent the virus from entering its borders.

In an important meeting chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, the current situation surrounding the monkeypox threat and the country's preparedness were thoroughly reviewed.

During the high-level meeting, the prime minister was briefed about the preventive measures being taken at all entry points, including airports, borders, and hospitals. Authorities have been instructed to intensify testing and screening at all entry points, and also directed to speed up testing. The PM also ordered to identify and isolate any potential cases early.

He was also briefed about the availability of testing laboratories, lab kits and related medicines and screening system. Senior officials from all four provinces, representatives from the National Institute of Health, and members of the National Command and Operation Center (NCOC) attended the meeting.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif emphasized the importance of ensuring that the nation is fully prepared to prevent a monkeypox outbreak. He issued directives to enhance testing facilities, ensure the availability of laboratory kits and related medicines, and keep a close watch on all entry points.

Vaccination of airport and medical staff

In a parallel development, the Punjab government has decided to vaccinate airport and medical staff against monkeypox. The decision was made during a meeting chaired by the Punjab health minister.

The vaccination campaign will cover staff working at the province's six international airports and the six designated hospitals handling suspected cases of monkeypox.

Additionally, the government directed all of Punjab's children's hospitals to be prepared in case the virus affects children, while a technical committee is being established to prevent monkeypox patients emerging from airports. The committee will include senior health professionals, including former health minister Dr Javed Akram.

Hospitals have been directed to immediately report suspected cases of monkeypox to the government, while instructions have been issued to prepare immediate SOPs for airports in Punjab. The Customs, Civil Aviation, Airport Security authorities have been directed to report suspected cases.

Airlines will be urged to issue health certificates to passengers as part of enhanced health protocols. The provincial government is also working on immediate Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for airports, while health staff, including doctors, nurses, and paramedics, are being trained to manage suspected monkeypox cases.