Punjab launches clinical dashboard to monitor Avastin injections in Hospitals: Dr Javed Akram

 Punjab Caretaker Health Minister Dr. Javed Akram Saturday said that a clinical dashboard has been designed in all government hospitals of Punjab to monitor the administration of Avastin injection, reported the 24NewsHD TV channel.

This announcement came during a high-level meeting of the Department of Specialized Healthcare and Medical Education, convened to investigate cases of patients experiencing vision problems following Avastin vaccination. The meeting, chaired by Dr. Akram, was attended by Dr. Jamal Nasir, the co-convener and caretaker provincial minister of the primary and secondary healthcare department, along with other key officials.

During the meeting, the provincial health minister conducted a comprehensive review of the Avastin injection cases and received briefings from concerned officers regarding the ongoing investigation. Dr. Akram expressed the government's sympathy for the affected patients and pledged to bring justice to their families.

He said that the dashboard's primary purpose is to closely monitor the administration of Avastin injections, a critical medication that has recently come under scrutiny due to reported cases of vision issues among patients.

Dr. Sohail, Director-General of Punjab Drugs Control, personally visited the sites where Avastin vaccinations were administered and submitted a detailed review report. The meeting also scrutinized the entire import process of Avastin injections, from Switzerland to Pakistan.

In a future meeting, representatives of Roche Company, the manufacturer of Avastin, are set to be summoned, with cybercrime units assisting in email investigations related to vaccine procurement.

Dr. Akram emphasized that, until the investigation concludes, the ophthalmic use of Avastin injections may not receive approval.

Dr. Jamal Nasir assured that those responsible for the adverse effects of Avastin on patients' eyesight would not escape the law's grasp, and all facts concerning the vaccine would be made public.

Prominent figures such as KEMU Vice Chancellor Dr. Mahmood Ayaz, along with other healthcare professionals and officials, actively participated in the meeting, signaling the government's commitment to addressing this serious issue.