Walk for health

A walk was organised by the health dept to create awareness of pre- and post-natal care.

SUKKUR: A walk was organised by the health department on Tuesday as part of the ongoing week-long mother and child healthcare programme being observed to create awareness of pre- and post-natal care.

The participants of the walk led by EDO health, Sukkur, Dr Tariq Abbas Dareshani, Expanded Programme of Immunisation’s Abdul Karim Baloch, National Health Programme DCO Dr Ismail Abbasi marched from EDO health’s office to the press club.

Addressing the participants, Dr Dareshani explained that the aim of marking the current week was to stress the importance of mother and child healthcare, especially among the internally displaced persons (IDPs). During the week-long campaign, children would be given anti-measles vaccines, anti-polio drops and antigens, while tetanus toxoide vaccines will be given to pregnant women.

“With the help of the government and private welfare associations, around 7,000 safe delivery kits have been handed over to pregnant women in the relief camps,” he said.

Lady health doctors and paramedical staff are providing health education among women in the camps and other remote areas, he added.

With the advent of autumn and the increasing number of births in relief camps, the health department has decided to distribute blankets and clothes among the IDPs.

Dr Dareshani said that most of the children in the camps have been affected by measles and to prevent its outbreak,16,651 children will be given anti-measles vaccine and 19,935 children up to the age of five will be administered anti-polio drops.

According to the participants, about 1,160 lady health workers are working throughout the district to emphasise the importance of mother and child healthcare.

A total of 176 fixed and mobile teams of the health department are also working to make this campaign a promising success, they said.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 29^th, 2010.