Measles Drive in Sindh has Reached its One Week Mark

KARACHI- A press conference was recently held at the Sindh Secretariat, Karachi, chaired by the Provincial Minister for Health and Population Welfare, Dr. Azra Fazal Pechuho.

The press conference was held to address the infectious disease ‘Measles’ and how to run awareness and immunization campaigns in Sindh, in order to fight this condition.

It was revealed that, the campaigning is currently in progress, and is scheduled to run until October 27, 2018, across the province of Sindh.

Project Director, Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) Sindh, Dr. Zahoor Baloch and other concerned authorities were also present at this occasion.

Whilst addressing the media, Dr. Azra Pechuho stated that, the Measles drive in Sindh had reached its one week mark, covering approximately 3.65 million children.

She added that the target of this Measles campaign is catering to 7.1 million children.

“As there have been 122 measles related deaths this year, this campaign will help in saving many children’s lives;” she added.

She highlighted that there were certain areas of Karachi that required far more attention and provision of health facilities, especially in District Central and District West of the city.

She requested the Deputy Commissioners and DHOs to lead vaccination in such areas, to attain maximum coverage.

Health Minister also appealed the parents residing in posh neighborhoods to visit their health care providers to enquire about the Measles vaccine, in order to save their children from this infectious disease.

Statistically, this campaign has already covered 95% of the areas in Interior Sindh. Across the province of Sindh, 735 Union Councils have more than 95% coverage, and 134 have above 90% coverage.

Around 188 Union Councils have shown less than 90% of coverage, requiring special attention. Such areas include, pockets in North Karachi, North Nazimabad, Gulberg, Gadap, SITE Orangi, Korangi, Shah Faisal, Landhi and some others.

To facilitate the process of campaigning, 11,760 Social Mobilizers are being used to raise awareness and 1408 first level supervisors, 356 second level supervisors and 1123 AEFI focal persons are running the campaign to ensure complete coverage and a positive outcome.

Furthermore, Dr. Azra Fazal Pechuho mentioned that major private hospitals of Pakistan, the Pakistan Paediatric Association, Government departments, NGOs and other valuable partners were supporting the campaign to its fullest. She appreciated their efforts and hopes to achieve their goal of saving millions of children’s lives.