On Tuesday, Punjab Health Minister Khawaja Imran Nazir ordered immediate steps to improve the performance of dialysis centers under the Punjab AIDS and Hepatitis Control Program.

In a review meeting, he outlined key directives for the 85 dialysis centers operating in district and tehsil headquarters hospitals across the province.

Read more: Mpox Still a Public Health Emergency: WHO

Emphasizing patient safety, Nazir stressed the importance of submitting a detailed inspection report on the registered patients at these centers to ensure adherence to health standards.

For centers with 10 or more units, he recommended setting up a separate unit specifically for HIV-positive patients to reduce the risk of cross-infection. Nazir also called for thorough screenings of all patients to identify potential infections early.

To ensure uniformity, the minister suggested creating a technical group responsible for developing comprehensive Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). He also underscored the need for prompt registration of dialysis centers to ensure operational transparency and effectiveness.