Pindi ensures extensive polio vaccination

Plans to expand Clinic on Wheels to provide healthcare services to thousands of residents

RAWALPINDI:

The Rawalpindi District Health Authority has completed its target for the ongoing anti-polio campaign, initiated after the detection of the poliovirus in environmental samples from the city. According to health officials, the campaign was conducted efficiently, covering not only polio vaccinations but also addressing cases where parents had initially refused to vaccinate their children.

The presence of the poliovirus was confirmed in a sample taken from Safdarabad, an area of Rawalpindi where the city's drainage system connects with that of Islamabad. This prompted immediate action by health authorities. Chief Executive of the District Health Authority, Dr Asif Arbab Niazi, lauded the success of the campaign, attributing it to careful planning. He also stated that future campaigns would focus on vaccinating children from families who have recently moved into the city from other areas to ensure maximum coverage.

Meanwhile, the "Clinic on Wheels" project, launched by Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, is receiving remarkable success in the Rawalpindi district. The project aims to provide healthcare services at the doorsteps of citizens, particularly those who are unable to afford private healthcare or access government hospitals due to limited resources. The initiative has gained widespread traction, with significant participation from the community.

Since its inception, the Clinic on Wheels programme in Rawalpindi has registered 219,005 patients.

Of these, 7,464 individuals have received ultrasound services, and 160,989 people have been examined and treated in outpatient departments (OPD). The programme has also made significant strides in preventive care.

District Health Officer Dr Naveed Akhtar Malik emphasised the importance of the Clinic on Wheels initiative, noting that the programme currently operates with a fleet of 20 vehicles. These mobile clinics are delivering quality healthcare to residents in both urban and rural areas, particularly those who cannot bear the high costs of private treatment. Dr Malik highlighted that the programme's success has prompted plans for its expansion, allowing even more citizens to benefit from free, high-quality medical services at their homes.