Washing hands before and after meals and after visiting the washroom, can save children from numerous diseases and thereby reduce mortality rates by 10 percent among children. It was stated by Special Assistant to Punjab Chief Minister on Health Salman Rafiq while inaugurating the Mother and Child Health Week at the Government Mian Munshi Hospital on Monday.
He said the main objective of celebrating the Mother and Child Health Week is to prevent mothers and children from catching various diseases through sensitising them about hygiene principles and creating a healthy environment. The World Health Organisation, the UNICEF, UNFPA and the government departments concerned are extending their cooperation to the Health Department for this purpose.
Rafiq said though international donor agencies are supporting the Punjab government in making health programmes successful, the media is also a partner in disseminating information among the masses about health issues and creating awareness which is essential for preventing diseases.
Rafiq disclosed that according to the reports of international institutions, one child out of 10 does not see his fifth birthday and that pneumonia and diarrhoea are the main causes of these deaths. He stated that it was a matter of great concern for the country and that a comprehensive strategy is required to check these mortalities.
According to these reports, every year, Pakistan witnesses preventable deaths of nearly 432, 000 children below five years of age. Out of these, two-thirds are in the first 28 days of their life. At the same time, 20, 000 mothers also die due to causes related to pregnancy and childbirth. Most of these precious lives can be saved by simple knowledge about prevention, treatment and by adopting some key measures at home and appropriate healthcare practices.
National Programme for Family Planning and Primary Health Provincial Coordinator Dr Akhtar Rasheed Malik said 49, 000 lady health workers and more than 5,000 community health workers will pay door-to-door visits for providing basic information regarding the health of children and pregnant women. Moreover, more than seven million children would be given de-worm tablets and 0.6 million children will be immunised. One million pregnant women will get tetanus vaccine and 3.7 million women will be counseled through health awareness sessions. He informed that folic acid tablets will also be distributed among pregnant women to save them from anemia. He added that every pregnant woman will be informed about the importance of at least four ANC visits, delivery by a skilled birth attendant, postnatal care, immunisation of the child and optimal birth spacing.
Punjab Health Special Secretary Dawood Muhammad Bareach, Health DG Dr Nisar Cheema, Lahore Health EDO Dr Inamul Haq, Mian Munshi Hospital MS Dr Muhammad Shafqat, UNICEF representatives Dr Srita, Dr Mushtaq Rana, WHO Medical Office Dr Babar Alam, UNICEF representative Dr Tahir Manzoor and representatives of other departments were also present on this occasion.
