PACP provides PEP medicines to all DHQ, THQ hospitals

The Punjab AIDS Control Programme (PACP) has provided the post exposure prophylaxis (PEP) medicines to all DHQ and THQ hospitals across the province. An official of primary and secondary Healthcare department said, "We are providing PEP medicines to all DHQ and THQ hospitals in Punjab to reduce the risk of HIV transmission through accidental pricks.
The PEP medicines need to be made available at all key centres and their availability must be ensured, "he said. The PEP medicines are deemed to be essential part of all healthcare establishments especially labs and diagnostic centres where there is risk of accidental pricks. The pack of tablets is kept in the emergencies to reduce the risk of HIV transmission through needle prick.
The technical team informed that two tablets are to be taken immediately after the prick. The treatment further continues and the staff is advised to contact the Punjab AIDS Control Program for further guidance until the course is complete. It was also informed that the drive to register hair dressers, saloons and beauty parlours will start in the first week of the April. In the first phase, the registration will be piloted in Lahore. Changes in the plan may be made according to lessons learnt, before the drive is expanded to the whole province, the official said.