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A child being marked 'vaccinated' by a health worker after inoculation against poliovirus during a door-to-door immunisation campaign. — AFP/File
#Integration #polio #routine #immunisation #programmes #proposed
ISLAMABAD: According to the recommendations of the Technical Advisory Group (Tag) on Polio, Pakistani health officials eventually have a command to the Elimination of Polio (PEI) and the Extension Program (EPI). It is proposed to bring under the security of the vaccine to be increased and accelerated. Elimination of polio.
The proposal has been reported that more than 60 % of the 73 polio -infected children last year had zero foods, meaning they did not receive a single dose of normal immunization.
Officials from the Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations, and Coordination told the news that the integration of these programs is being proposed to tackle permanent gaps in coverage of vaccinations, especially in high -risk areas where polio is local. – According to the proposal sent to Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif, the federal government has been advised to make a new leadership role that oversees both polio and routine security vaccine programs.
The proposal includes the creation or re -design of the Joint Secretary for Security, which will be responsible for aligning PEI and EPI efforts, ensuring accountability and improving harmony between various health areas.
An official added, “The proposed Joint Secretary for Security Vaccines will directly report to the Secretary of Monhsrc and will oversee the National Coordinator for Polio Elimination Initiative (PEI) and the Director General of the Federal Directorate of Immunization (EPI). “” The character is expected to increase strategic planning, stakeholder’s engagement, and resources efficient.
He said local and international health experts believe that connecting PI and EPI under the same command structure can smooth the vaccination efforts, improve the distribution of resources, and be sure More and more children get life -saving vaccines.
The tag, which provides guidance on polio eradication strategies for Pakistan and Afghanistan, has repeatedly emphasized the need for polio vaccination efforts as well as the need to improve normal safety vaccine services.
In its latest meeting, the tag emphasized that a major obstacle to polio eradication is a large number of children, which are unacceptable against all prevention diseases. The group highlighted that strengthening the EPI could significantly reduce the number of zero food children, and as a result, the spread of the polio virus could be restricted.
Tag Chair, Dr. Jean -Mark Olio, has warned that when Pakistan has made progress in eradicating polio, any delay in strengthening normal immunization can remain the virus.
He emphasized that it is very important for the achievement of polio -free Pakistan to reach the communities with both the usual and polio vaccines. Experts have long been advocating for a comprehensive approach to immunization in Pakistan. In a recent article published in Lancet, Zulfar Bhatta, a global health expert, argued that maternity and child health care services, as well as a strong focus on normal safety vaccines, polio. It is necessary to remove.
He emphasized that vaccination efforts often lead to waste opportunities, especially in weak and conflict -affected regions. Professor Bhatta’s research shows that merging PIA with the EPI can not only help Pakistan eliminate polio but also improve the overall health of children by preventing other vaccine -prevention diseases. Can
He highlighted that a well -integrated safety vaccine strategy can prevent unnecessary deaths and disabilities, while reducing the burden on health care facilities. Recognizing the importance of the move, the government has set up a high -level committee, chaired by Dr Malik Mukhtar Ahmad Bharat, to assess the feasibility of merging PE and EP.
The committee will evaluate the potential benefits and challenges of this merger, ensuring that no changes are in line with Pakistan’s national health goals and global promises to protective vaccinations.
