Prioritisation problems: Vaccination campaign takes a backseat

Capital’s immunisation drive delayed owing to shortage of security personnel .


Sehrish Wasif April 20, 2015
PHOTO: AFP

ISLAMABAD:


Sub-national immunisation days (SNIDs) scheduled to begin in high-risk areas of the capital were postponed due to a shortage of security personnel to protect vaccinators. Most officials are busy with the Chinese president’s visit.


The SNIDs were already delayed as they were originally scheduled to start on April 13 but were re-planned for April 20. Now they will start on April 27, according to the National Emergency Operation Centre for polio.

Health officials, while talking to The Express Tribune, expressed grave concern over such delays in carrying out the anti-polio drive as it adversely disturbs the entire annual vaccination plan. Considering the current polio situation, it is highly important for Pakistan to follow its planned campaigns and make all-out efforts not to miss any.

A senior official in the Ministry of National Health Services, Regulation and Coordination who wished not to be named said it was almost the second or third time this year that the anti-polio drive had been postponed in the capital. Earlier in March, the national anti-polio drive was postponed due to the Pakistan Day parade which was later carried out and ended in early April, said the official.

“Carrying out a polio drive is not a piece of cake, it needs a lot of planning. Such delays ruin the entire plan which ultimately affects the quality of the campaign,” said the official. He added the delay causes setback in meeting set standards and achieving targets.

The next SNIDs are scheduled to begin from May 4 but now as this month’s vaccination campaign will begin with a delay, therefore it will also push the next month’s campaign, explained the official.

The SNIDs cover all the children under five years of age living in slum areas or places where there is a potential threat of spread of the poliovirus, said the official.

When contacted, Mohammad Kashif, in-charge polio cell at the Islamabad Capital Territory, confirmed the SNIDs were postponed for another week.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 21st, 2015.

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