Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah inaugurated 13-days long special immunization campaign against measles in Sindh by injecting anti-measles vaccine to a child at the CM house here in a simple ceremony.
Sindh Minister for Health Dr Sagheer Ahmed was also present and administered the anti-measles vaccine to a child, said a statement on Monday.
The ceremony was also attended by Chief Secretary Sajjad Saleem Hotyana, Secretary Health Iqbal Durani, Qamar-ul-Hassan from WHO Islamabad, Arif Aslam from UNICEF Karachi, Wandeay from WHO Karachi and Mazhar Ali Khamisani, PD-EPI Sindh, and other officers of the Sindh government. On the occasion, Provincial Secretary Health Iqbal Durani briefed the chief minister that this 13-day long special immunization campaign was being launched with the collaboration of Gavi-World Health Organisation with total joint investment of Rs 1,050 million.
He said that out of this amount Rs 800 million were being spent on the purchase of vaccines, while Rs 250 million would be incurred on its operational activities throughout the province. Durrani further elaborated that at least 13.33 million children between age group from six months to 10 years have been targeted to be immunized with the help of 6,959 skilled persons and 130,181 social mobilizers in 1,120 union councils of 29 districts of the province.
He said the social mobilisers had been assigned to conduct house to house visit, mobilise the children of targeted age group and bring them to the nearest hospitals or vaccination site for the purpose.
Talking on the occasion, the CM said that the PPP government was giving top priority to the health services to ailing people and has earmarked Rs 17 billion in current budget for the purpose. He said though they were investing huge fund to cure the patients but more awareness for care of diseases was needed. He said care was better than cure and the organisations within the government and private sector to concentrate on this issue.
The CM Sindh said that measles, polio, hepatitis B, C and other fatal diseases are the challenges to the individuals and organisations concerned and these could be combated only with joint efforts of the government and community.
The CM stressed upon the print and electronic media to sensitize people about this issue for maximum vaccination of the children. The CM stressed upon the people to avail the opportunity of extended programme of immunization (EPI) available at each hospital and get their children vaccinated from all diseases.
