580,000 children receive hepatitis B vaccinations

HYDERABAD: “Around 0.58 million school-going children have been vaccinated against hepatitis B this year,” said provincial manager of the anti hepatitis programme in Sindh, Dr Abdul Majeed Chutto.

Speaking as chief guest at a training workshop organised under the programme for doctors and staff nurses on Monday, Dr Chutto said that 50,000 registered hepatitis C patients have gotten free medical treatment while 4,000 registered hepatitis B patients have also received complete treatment.

Vaccination and treatment for the hepatitis viruses is being carried out in district hospitals and at seven special centres in Karachi and four in Hyderabad.

Under the second phase of the programme, newborn babies will be vaccinated in Mehar, Thana Bola Khan, Matli, Mirpur Sakro, Shahdadpur, Garhi Yaseen, Ghotki city, Thari Mirwah, Bhiriya city and Korangi-5 in Karachi, he added.

So far the government has organised 298 free vaccination for school students and the rest of the population as well in all districts of the province, informed Dr Chutto. The doctor also said that five cold chain units have been established for storage of vaccines.

Published in the Express Tribune, June 15^th, 2010.