Task force to oversee threat of bird flu in Sindh

Sindh government here on Wednesday constituted a Provincial Task Force to oversee matters relating to the threat of Avian Influenza.
The Task Force to be headed by Sindh Health Secretary, Ashiq Hussein Memon comprises of Dr Ghulam Nabi Kazi, the WHO Operations Officer for Sindh, Dr Mian Ashraf Sadiq, Director, Ojha Institute of Chest Diseases, Dr Nazar Mohammad Junejo, acting Director, Administration and Accounts in the Directorate General of Health, representatives of the Livestock and Fisheries Department and District Health Team in the province.
Dr Khadim Hussein Lakhiar, Manager, Basic Development Needs Programme. Sindh has been notified as the Focal Person for the Task Force.
The terms of Task Force will be to carry out effective liaison with the Federal government and the World Health Organisation with regard to all issues related to Avian Influenza. It will also be expected to interact with the Federal Task Force headed by Dr Kazi Abdul Shakoor, JPMC Director.
It will also establish a mechanism for collection, consolidation and analysis of data relating to the disease, conduct awareness workshops in all the districts in the province, evaluate the impact of the crisis on the poultry industry and take effective measures to address the same.
The Task Force is expected to meet at least once a month to evaluate the progress and educate the general public on safety precautions concerning the disease.