Mobile Covid-19 vaccination units launched

Two centres to start functioning immediately, more to be added

KARACHI:

The Pakistan Red Crescent-Sindh (PRC), in collaboration with the provincial health department and National Command Operation Centre (NCOC), opened two mobile vaccination units for Covid-19 in the city.

The units were established on Monday at the Dolmen and Lucky One malls. In a recent meeting of NCOC in Karachi, the Sindh branch of the PRC volunteered its services to the government in order to facilitate vaccination against Covid-19 throughout the province.

According to the statement released on Monday, PRC-Sindh Chairman Shahnaz S Hamid said PRC teams have been working tirelessly to play a significant role in the ongoing national efforts to overcome the spread of the Covid-19 through a robust synergised response.

She said it was a matter of honour and recognition for the PRCS that it started the Covid-19 mobile vaccination facility with the support of the Sindh government. "I appreciate the government for showing trust in us," she added.

"Initially, PRC-Sindh has established two mobile vaccination units; however, the number of mobile units will be increased and major locations, such as shopping malls and industries, will be made available for Covid-19 vaccination," Shahnaz explained.

She further stated that PRC-Sindh is establishing static vaccination centres at Hilal-e-Ahmer House at Teen Talwar Clifton and Red Crescent Medical Centre Gurumandir with the help of the Sindh Health Department.

This service will gradually be expanded to additional Red Crescent units in Karachi, including the Red Crescent Dispensary in Liaqatabad and the Red Crescent Maternity Home in Orangi Town. The Chairman PRC-Sindh also proposed that more Covid-19 vaccination centres could be set up at Pakistan Red Crescent Hospitals in Hyderabad, Sukkur and Khairpur.

PRC Sindh Provincial Secretary Kanwar Waseem said that each mobile vaccination team includes one doctor, three paramedics/vaccinators and two volunteers assigned to maintain the registration process. He said that earlier, PRC-Sindh had also fulfilled its promise to provide the free testing facility of Covid-19 in Karachi.

The provincial secretary assured that the Pakistan Red Crescent would continue its best efforts until Covid-19 was completely eradicated.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 1^st, 2021.