PESHAWAR: Health Secretary Abid Majeed has directed for the establishment of provincial, district and union council level committees headed by pediatricians for management, oversight, technical and communication aspects in the upcoming measles campaign with a view to achieve best results and ensure quality services to the people.
He said this while chairing a high-level meeting here at the Health Secretariat to review the preparation status of the upcoming measles campaign in the province. Health Services Director-General Dr Ayub Rose, EPI Director Dr Akram Shah and EPI Deputy Director Dr Taimur Shah also attended the meeting.
In the meeting, Acting EOC Coordinator Atif Rehman, BMGF Technical Focal Person Dr Imtiaz Ali Shah, former EPI director Dr Hameed Afridi, WHO team lead Dr Abdi Nasir, Dr Ijaz Shah, UNICEF and relevant staff of the health and LHW programme was also present on the occasion.
Abid Majeed stressed on the need for effective communication and social mobilisation activities prior to the launch of the mega healthcare intervention in the province with a view to raise parents’ awareness about the disease and create demand for vaccination.
He also emphasised the need for training of the staff, availability of the logistics, vaccines and referral systems for the children so that robust and effective system were in place in case of any adverse effects following immunization (AEFI). EOC Coordinator Atif Rehman assured full assistance to support this initiative of the government aimed at improving health of children.
Earlier, EPI Director Dr Akram Shah informed the chair about the measles campaign which will be carried out from October and preparation status of the campaign. He said that children from nine months up to 59 months will be vaccinated in the measles campaign, adding that total target of the campaign was 4.3 million children.
Health Director-General Dr Ayub Rose said that measles campaign was planned in view of growing number of the measles cases that are reported from almost all districts of the province and ensured the chair that special focus would be given to the staff training and provision of quality vaccine for the anti-measles drive.
