No case of JN1 coronavirus variant reported in Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of Health on Tuesday said that so far no case of the JN.1 variant of coronavirus has been reported in any part of the country.

According to the spokesperson of the Ministry of Health, a new variant of coronavirus, JN.1 Omicron, has been reported in some countries as per media reports, which is a matter of concern.

Meanwhile, Caretaker Federal Minister for Health Dr Nadeem Jan said that the government is continuously monitoring the situation as this subvirus of Omicron coronavirus was found in some countries.

He said that the risk of this coronavirus variant spreading in Pakistan is very low, but caution is necessary.

The minister assured to proper implementation of the recommendations of international health regulations, the official news agency reported.

Dr Nadeem Jan said that there is an effective screening system at international airports at entry and exit routes of the country.

He said that the Ministry of Health has advised provincial and regional health institutions to increase testing. He advised citizens to use masks to prevent the spread of diseases like Covid-19 (coronavirus) or flu in winter.

Meanwhile, Caretaker Health Minister Dr Nadeem Jan on Tuesday proposed allocation of two percent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for the health sector.

In response to a calling attention notice moved by Senator Prof Dr Mehr Taj Roghani regarding the non-availability of vaccines, especially the anti-diphtheria serum in the country, with a specific focus on Khyber Pakhtunkhwa leading to the unfortunate deaths of children, the minister said that “our request to the next government would be to allocate at least two percent of the GDP for health, a sector that has been overlooked by all previous governments”.

Regarding the anti-diphtheria serum (ADC), he clarified that the provision and procurement of ADC was the responsibility of the provinces. However, he added that the federal government can play a role in facilitating resource generation and providing guidelines in this regard.