Tracking immunisation

Sindh Health Minister reveals plans of a mandatory certificate of immunisation for children to get school admission


January 23, 2023

High rates of disease and malnutrition have long plagued Sindh. In the past, the healthcare department has initiated different programmes to tackle diseases and improve immunisation. However, incoherence and corruption within the department have impeded any positive outcomes. In a bid to track immunisation and assess eyesight and malnutrition among schoolchildren, Sindh Health Minister Dr Azra Pechuho has revealed plans to introduce a mandatory certificate of immunisation for children to get school admission.

Sindh has reported one of the highest levels of malnutrition and stunting with acute malnutrition reaching a critical level in eight districts. As of April 2022, the National IHR Focal Point of Pakistan reported a laboratory-confirmed outbreak of cholera in Sindh. Epidemic outbreaks have compounded healthcare challenges in the province and compelled officials to focus on more pressing short-term issues. Resultantly, most people remain unaware of complex health conditions and the need to maintain good health and hygiene to improve life expectancy and immunity. To enhance effectiveness, the health department must invest in outreach programmes to inform people about vaccinations and prevention measures for illnesses. People in rural and remote areas of the province should have access to adequate healthcare support to seek treatment and vaccination.

This initiative provides the provincial healthcare department with the opportunity to nip diseases and malnutrition in the bud. The education department should ensure that the necessary procedure is followed in both public and private schools. Many such initiatives have been taken in the past but left midway due to a lack of supervision and negligence. Therefore, both the healthcare and education departments must ensure long-term compliance. Besides maintaining records, the healthcare department must also assume responsibility for reaching out to children belonging to vulnerable and low-income groups for annual physical examinations.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 23rd, 2023.

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