Healthcare drive in Quetta targets crippling diseases

Health minister says importance needs to be given to the health of mothers and children

QUETTA: Minister for Health Abdul Majid Abro has said that the dream of a healthy Balochistan cannot be accomplished unless importance is given to the health of mothers and children.

“Parents should get their children vaccinated against crippling diseases, including polio and measles, and women should seek treatment for spasms during pregnancy,” said the health minister while addressing a programme celebrating ‘mother and child health week’ conducted by Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI) and United Nations International Children’s Fund (Unicef) on Friday.



Health Secretary Saleh Muhammad Nasir, Population Welfare Secretary Imran Gichki, Health Services DG Dr Shakir Ali Baloch, National Programme Provincial Head Dr Samiullah Kakar, EPI Deputy Programme Manager Dr Ishaq Panezai, Balochistan Nutrition Programme Deputy Programme Manger Dr Ishaq Baloch and other health officials were also presented at the ceremony.

The health minister said, “Balochistan cannot emerge as a healthy province unless we pay complete attention towards mothers and children’s health. We have to keep the environment in our homes clean in order to protect our future generation from the crippling diseases.”

Abro said, “The provincial government is utilising all available resources to protect the health of mothers and children in Balochistan, and the people of Balochistan should participate in the week-long campaign.”



Taking over the podium, the National Programme provincial head said during the week-long campaign mothers would be given awareness regarding healthcare, and urged them to cooperate with lady health workers (LHWs) participating and assisting in the programme.

“A child must be given two deworming tablets in a year that protects them from various diseases and complications,” said Kakar.

Sharing details of measures taken by the provincial government and donors, he said that all medical kits had been handed over to the LHWs across the province, while vehicles were available for monitoring the week-long campaign.



Health Secretary Saleh Muhammad Nasir said, “All stakeholders in society should come forward to make this campaign successful.”

He urged the LHWs to show seriousness towards the programme and make 100 per cent sure of their presence at the places where they’re deputed.

The health secretary applauded Unicef’s support in fighting the crippling diseases.

Towards the end of the ceremony, the health minister kicked off the week-long mother and child healthcare campaign by administrating deworming tablets to children.