F.P. Report
RAWALPINDI: Over 1.5 million children, between six months and 59 months of age, would be vaccinated against measles during a week-long drive launched in 10 districts of the province including 42 union councils (UCs) of Rawalpindi district.
Caretaker Minister for Primary and Secondary Healthcare Dr Jamal Nasir said this while inaugurating the “Health Fair” and measles immunisation campaign by vaccinating children here at Eden Marque IJP road.
During the special campaign, Dr Jamal said that besides measles immunisation, polio and Vitamin A drops were also being administered to children in 147 union councils of 10 districts of Punjab which had been declared high-risk areas for measles virus spread.
He informed that children were being vaccinated against measles and rubella in 80 union councils of Lahore city, 12 in Jhang, three in Hafizabad, two each in Narowal, Sialkot, Kasur and Toba Tek Singh, while one each in Gujranwala and Sheikhupura.
The minister added that 52 UC supervisors, 354 skilled workers, 354 assistants and 354 social mobilisers were also visiting 42 UCs of the Rawalpindi district including 19 union councils of the city, eight UCs of Rawalpindi Cantonment, five UCs of Taxila tehsil and 10 UCs of Rawalpindi rural.
He said that at the request of the Punjab government, the World Health Organization was providing technical and operational support for the special campaign.
Dr Jamal said the government was providing free vaccines against 12 deadly diseases to children under two years of age while parents who do not administer timely immunisations to their children put their lives at risk. He urged the parents to must complete the immunisation of their children in time.
While inaugurating the Health Fair, Dr Jamal said the aim of the event was to provide maternal, child health and family planning services to the underprivileged sections of society.
Apart from mother and child health and family planning counters, electronic medical records, nutrition screening, ultrasound and mental health clinics had also been set up at the fair.
The health minister said provision of health facilities was the priority of the caretaker government, and added that a healthy mother and child were essential for a healthy society. (APP)
