Sindh Health Minister Dr Sagheer Ahmad on Friday said that at least 2.9 million children in eight districts of the province most-affected by the deadly measles have been vaccinated and the second phase of vaccination will be carried out next month, in February.
Addressing a meeting on the situation of measles and polio in the province, the provincial health minister said the low rate of routine immunisation was the basic problem and ordered all the Executive District Officers (EDOs) related to the health department to increase the rate of routine immunisation in their areas. He said the EDO health would be responsible for any lapses in the programme and departmental action would be taken against him if the rate of immunization decreased from 95 percent in his area.
“We have contracted the project to the federal government, World Health Organisation and UNICEF to carry out vaccination of measles,” he said .He further said Sakhar, Ghotki, Kherapure, Larkana, Qanbar Shehdad Cout, Jacobabad and Kashmore were the right districts which were mostly affected by the current epidemic.
He also said 1,539 cases of measles were reported in different districts of the province in which 11 deaths were reported so far and 144 samples had been taken from the province between January 1 and10, 2013.
Furthermore, the health minister said 997 mobile and 425 fixed teams were working in the affected districts and immunisation had taken place in other districts as well to block the spread of the deadly disease. He added that the campaign was started from children age between the ages of nine to 15 months and the campaign was running in specific areas but had gradually been spread to 10-year-old children.
Moreover, he said the Rangers agreed to provide help by accompanying polio workers, adding that the move had been cleared by Rangers authorities. He informed the deputy commissioners present in the meeting that they could contact the Rangers commandant to make a final schedule regarding accompanying polio teams.
He further said the next polio campaign would start from January 28th and would continue till January 30th in the province. Furthermore, the campaign would be carried out in Karachi from February 4th to 6th.
Meanwhile, while addressing the meeting, Special Correspondent on Polio to the President of Pakistan Dr Azra Pecho said the president had taken notice of children death due to measles. She appreciated the efforts of the provisional health minister for making visits in different districts of Sindh to monitor of the ongoing measles campaign which would help in spreading awareness against the deadly disease.
“Officers who fail to carry out their duties should go home,” she said while speaking with the EDO’s.
Health Secretary Aftab Ahmad Khatri, correspondents of WHO and UNICEF, deputy commissioners and EDO’s of different districts were also present in the meeting.
