The meeting reviewed in detail the implementation of EPI programme in the province. PHOTO: ONLINE/FILE
Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif granted permission on Wednesday for recruitment against more than 300 vaccinators to strengthen the immunisation programme.
Adviser to Chief Minister Khawaja Salman Rafique said the chief minister had sought an impartial committee to decide the recruitments.
Rafique was presiding over a meeting of the Steering Committee on Extended Programme of Immunisation(EPI).
Farkhunda Kaukab of the Institute of Public Health, Professor Muhammad Waqar of the Childrens Hospital, EPI Director Munir Ahmad, WHO representative Ubaidul Islam, Dr Nisar Cheema of the USAID and Dr Aslam Chaudhary of Milenda Gates Foundation were also present.
Rafique said data of immunised children from all districts should be recorded.
He said officers had so far collected incorrect data on diseases. He said EPI coverage should not be affected due to poor reporting.
He said a meeting should be held with the Local Government Department to gather data of newborns.
It was decided in the meeting that the anti-measles campaign would be extended after a meeting with professors of paediatric wards of teaching hospitals.
Rafique said the government had issued a sum of Rs650 million for purchase of measles vaccines.
He said that correct data was essential for proper planning.
He said that an awareness campaign similar to the anti-dengue fever campaign would be launched so people could benefit from free vaccination to protect their children.
He said polio centres in Lahore had attracted many people from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
He said an anti-polio campaigns would be launched in Lahore on May 5, 12 and 19.
The meeting reviewed in detail the implementation of EPI programme in the province.
Documentary on immunisation launched
The Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI) on Wednesday launched an Immunisation Documentary in collaboration with Save the Children Pakistan.
The documentary has been launched to mark the World Immunisation Week, celebrated globally from April 24 to April 30. It highlights the challenges and the current situation of immunisation among children in Pakistan. It highlights insufficient human resources.
Adviser to the Chief Minister on Health Khwaja Salman Rafique was the chief guest at the launch.
EPI Director Munir Ahmad said approximately 1,000 more children under five years of age would die daily in Pakistan if EPI services were discontinued.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 1st, 2014.
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