PESHAWAR: A meeting titled “Reaching the Unreached” was convened under the auspices of EPI (Expanded Program on Immunization) and PEI (Polio Eradication Initiative) under the leadership of Health Minister Qasim Ali Shah.
Organized by ACASUS, the briefing focused on cooperation efforts in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The meeting was attended by Special Secretary of Health for Polio Eradication Abdul Basit, Director General of Health Services Dr. Shaukat Ali, Deputy Director, Provincial Emergency Operations Center Zeeshan, along with staff from all District Emergency Operations Centers participating online.
Minister Qasim Shah highlighted the significant responsibility that falls on parents of unvaccinated children due to lack of awareness, which poses a risk to the entire nation.
It is imperative to avoid international sanctions for such negligence. The federal government will engage in discussions on these issues, he noted.
Qasim Shah added that access to remote areas in southern districts is critical, which requires solving all possible problems.
Minister Shah emphasized that this is the third phase involving a special campaign for unvaccinated children, ensuring their vaccination.
The health minister was informed that in 69 union councils, children under the age of five receive 12 vaccines, including oral polio vaccine, to prevent vaccine-preventable diseases.
In Ghura Bakhail, Bannu district, where three cases of polio have been reported, 30% of children still need to be vaccinated, a challenge these campaigns are addressing.
In addition, ACASUS briefed Health Minister Qasim Ali Shah on collaborative initiatives in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
In addition to the Minister of Health, the briefing was attended by the Director General of Health Services, Dr. Shaukat Ali, EPI Director Dr. Aarif and Director of Public Health Dr. Irshad Roghani along with other relevant officials including Project Manager Zara Ansari, Senior Associate Tuba Hatif Farooqi. , Umair Rashid and Sophia Ahmed.
Project Manager Zara Ansari informed Health Minister Shah that ACASUS is providing support for polio eradication and immunization.
ACASUS assists in vaccine availability, functionalization of EPI centers, identification of areas with low vaccine coverage, and technical assistance in improving immunization in high-risk union councils.
In addition, ACASUS improves the standards of polio eradication campaigns and provides essential support including vaccination of lost children during campaigns.
