ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Health Aamer Mehmood Kiani on Tuesday monitored the national anti-measles campaign through visiting health centers in the outskirts of Islamabad, ARY News reported.
Talking to the media on a monitoring visit, the health expressed concern over delays in granting permission by the private school authorities for measles vaccination while underlining the requisite of coordination of all departments to run successful measles campaign.
He highlighted the need of compliance by private schools to the National Measles Campaign to ensure optimum coverage.
The health minister further highlighted the magnitude of the two week long campaign targeting approximately 32.5million children between ages of 9 months to five years.
“In line with the vision of the Prime Minister Pakistan, Mr. Imran Khan, our prime goal is to strengthen health and education to enhance human development index of the country,” said the federal minister.
The health minister also stressed upon the revamping of overall health sector in a bid to accelerate its service delivery.
Following the field visit,the minister visited the National Measles Control Room to monitor real time coverage of the anti-measles campaign.
Dr. Syed Saqlain Ahmad Gilani, National Program Manager, briefed the minister on the procedure of real time data collection at the Control Room.
“Data from across the country is submitted by provincial and district level teams through android app to the centralized National Control Room. Teams at the National Control Room analyze the data, identify issues, take immediate measures to address the challenges or mitigate the effects,” Dr. Syed Saqlain Ahmad Gilani told the minister.
The health minister appreciated the joint efforts of the officials of the EPI, development partners, GAVI, UNICEF and WHO to extend their assistance in making apt arrangements for the anti-measles campaign.
