32 field officials are accused of illegally working at the EPI office as training
assistants. PHOTO: FILE
A discrepancy of millions of rupees has reportedly surfaced in the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Health Department’s Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI).
Around 11 officials of the department are using official vehicles for personal use, said a senior official in the department requesting anonymity. He also claimed the department had looted millions of rupees from polio funds.
Some 32 field officials were illegally working at the office as training assistants in EPI. The official added the irregularities in EPI not only overburden the health department, but also lead to substantial losses to the national exchequer.
He blamed Director General of Health Services Dr Muhammad Zafar for inaction against corruption in the department.
The health department intends to hire an under-qualified official as the chairperson of the drugs department, alleged the official. “If the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government wants to bring change in the real sense, they should take action against these irregularities.”
Director General of Health and Services Dr Muhammad Zafar said he has received no such complaints regarding the EPI. He added only authorised officials at the department have access to vehicles, saying the finance team keeps a close watch on the activities of every department.
Dr Zafar, however, said he appreciates the efforts of the media to report such discrepancies, adding he will initiate an enquiry and action will be taken against any officials found guilty.
The EPI was launched by the World Health Organization in Pakistan in 1978 to protect children by vaccinating them against childhood tuberculosis, poliomyelitis, diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus and measles.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 28th, 2013.
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