‘Immunization is the best investment for children’s health’

Prof. Dr Ayesha Mehnaz, the head of the Pediatrics Department at DOW University, addresses media awareness programme.

KARACHI:

 “Almost 80 per cent children will have at least one Acute Otitis Media (AOM) infection - a very painful and common infection caused by spread of bacteria - by the age of three and more than one third will have at least six infections by the age of seven.” This was stated by Prof. Dr Ayesha Mehnaz, the head of the Pediatrics Department at the DOW University.

She was addressing a media awareness programme held at the Karachi Press Club to commemorate the International Immunization Week and share the findings of Ear infections Attitude Research (EAR Study).

According to Mehnaz, the Middle Ear Infection is also known as AOM which is caused by spread of bacteria from the upper throat to middle ear. She asked the health media to play its due part by raising awareness on preventable disease.

The other keynote speaker at the programme was senior pediatrician and recipient of Sitara-e-Imtiaz , Dr Gaffar Billoo, from the Aga Khan University. Dr Billoo also urged the health media to spread awareness on preventable disease so that parents know how they can protect their children. “Immunization is one of the most cost-effective interventions and is the best investment any nation can make for the health of children,” he said. “Parents should never ignore irregular symptoms of any sort in their children and consult health experts.”

Published in The Express Tribune, April 26^th, 2013.