Eradicating Polio a priority but not at cost of routine immunization

Policy makers reviewing the situation of Polio in Sindh, during a meeting at the Sindh Secretariat

KARACHI: After focusing all energies on the mission to eradicate Polio from Pakistan, authorities have finally realized that routine immunization for children is just as necessary. These concerns were shared by Dr. Agha Ashfaq, Director for the Extended Program for Immunization (EPI) after attending a meeting chaired by Chief Secretary Sindh Siddique Memon in Karachi on Wednesday.

Policy makers from the WHO, UNICEF along with officials from the provincial and federal Police Emergency Cell put their heads together at the Sind Secretariat to review the situation in Sindh and specially Karachi.

During the meeting Chief Secretary Sindh Siddique Memon noted that things are improving and milestones have been achieved. However terming the initiative as a last-ditch effort he asked everyone to unite and give the mission one last push to eliminate polio from Pakistan.

The meeting also noted that participation of female teams has improved but focus needs to be on improving routine EPI.

Chairperson Monitoring and Oversight Committee Dr.Azra Fazal Pechuho said that the situation in Karachi has improved and actual coverage is over 90%. Refusals are few but they are in pockets and have to be addressed, she added.

Prime Ministers Focal Person on Polio Senator Ayesha Raza said that the fight against polio is on its end game and through collective efforts polio will be eradicated and future generations will be secured from this virus.

So far this year four cases have reported in Sindh from Karachi, Jacobabad and Shikarpur.

In the meeting officials urged not to neglect routine immunization and to establish control rooms to monitor routine immunization. They stressed, that vaccinators must be present at the facilities for routine immunization.

According to EPI Director Dr Agha Ashfaq, since January 2016 not a single campaign has been conducted for routine immunization in the province.

Professor Iqbal Memon pointed out that in the past month alone, 1000 children have contracted measles, which he termed as a very alarming situation. He added, that routine immunization is at its lowest in Sindh and urged parents to take their children aged between 2 to 16 months for free immunization against 11 deadly diseases free of cost.