Raising awareness: Mother and Child week kicks off in K-P

PESHAWAR:

Mother and Child Health Care (MNCH) programme coordinator Sahib Gul said the federal government was responsible for supporting lady health workers (LHW), but has yet to release Rs862 million for their campaign.

Talking to the media at the launch of Mother and Child Week at a hotel on Monday, Gul said the programme covered 50% of the population. “This means half of K-P’s residents are availing health care facilities.” He said LHWs were making every effort, but were frustrated with the federal government’s failure to release Rs862 million. He added the Centre was bound to support the programme till 2017.



Speakers at the launch said MNCH weeks were held twice a year and this was the last one of 2015. They said discussions would be held with authorities to increase the frequency of the programme to once a month starting 2016. Participants said the main purpose of the campaign was to teach parents how to protect themselves and their children.

Earlier, K-P Health Services Director General Dr Parvez Kamal urged all staffers to join hands and make the programme a success. “Our aim is to reach all parents and children and sensitise them on the importance of vaccination.”

Dr Fahim Hussain Khan said LHWs have done well to reach out to people and create awareness. “You are the backbone of this programme and you will make it a success by reaching those who opted out,” he told the gathering.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 24^th,  2015.