Punjab Emergency Operations Centre Coordinator and head of the polio program Khizer Afzaal has urged districts to intensify their efforts to ensure the success of the upcoming National Immunisation Days (NIDs) aimed at eradicating polio in Pakistan.
In a virtual meeting with the Health Management Teams of 36 districts of Punjab, Afzaal emphasised the need for thorough preparations, especially in districts like Lahore, Rawalpindi, and Faisalabad, where the campaign is resuming after an 8-month hiatus.
He stressed the importance of meticulously planned micro-plans to ensure that every child receives vaccination, particularly in union councils that previously fell short in quality assurance assessments.
During the meeting, the EOC head emphasized the timely and accurate entry of data into the system, acknowledging that there was still sufficient time for districts to prepare effectively for the NIDs.
Afzaal underscored the importance of strengthening transit points' vaccination efforts to reach children on the move.
He highlighted the critical role of transit routes in the NIDs and urged districts to ensure that transit points are properly staffed and equipped to vaccinate every child, reducing the risk of missed vaccinations and virus spread.
He also called upon districts to conduct qualitative assessments of high-risk union councils through focus group discussions to understand and address social barriers to vaccination with community-based solutions.
The national immunisation campaign (NIDs) is scheduled to commence on October 2 and will continue until October 8 in mega districts, including Lahore, Rawalpindi, and Faisalabad. In other districts, the campaign will last for five days until October 6.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 24th, 2023.
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