LAHORE: In line with its vision of creating a poverty-free society built on principles of compassion and equity, the Akhuwat organisation in collaboration with the Punjab AIDS Control Programme organised a free medical camp for transgender people at the Fountain House (Lower Mall) on Saturday. Free blood tests against chronic diseases such as hepatitis (B&C) syphilis, HIV/AIDS with free vaccination for hepatitis B and free treatment for hepatitis C were part of the camp services established under the Akhuwat organisaton’s ‘Khawaja Sira Rehabilitation Programme’. The community members gather once a month at the fountain house where medical facilities, stipends, training and rehabilitation services are provided to them. At least 150 transgender people were given free counselling and medicines services. Primary and Secondary Healthcare Department Additional Secretary (admin) Dr Adnan Zafar Khan, who is also the Punjab AIDS Control Programme director, was the chief guest and the organiser of the camp. “The Punjab AIDS Control Programme is providing services to high-risk groups, including bus and truck drivers. We are trying to reach out to marginalised communities,” he said. Dr Imran Murtaza, medical superintendent at the fountain house expressed gratitude to the Punjab AIDS Control Programme, especially Dr Adnan Zafar Khan, for coming forward for a great cause on the behalf of fountain house’s management and Akhuwat Executive Director Dr Amjad Saqib.
Meanwhile, an awareness walk and a seminar in connection with the World Hand Hygiene Day were organised at the Sir Ganga Ram Hospital to highlight the importance of hygiene among health providers on Saturday. A large number of doctors, nurses, paramedics attended the seminar. Public health experts and Turkish doctors, including Dr Mehmat, delivered lectures on the topic. Speaking on the occasion, Fatima Jinnah Medical University Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Sardar Fakhar Imam and Sir Ganga Ram Hospital Medical Superintendent (MS) Dr Nauman Matloob said that infection control and appropriate management of hospital waste could reduce the stay period of patients at the hospital, which would also be helpful to minimise the bed occupancy rate.