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Representational image shows Muslim worshippers and pilgrims gathering at the Grand Mosque in the holy city of Mecca on June 25, 2023, during the annual Hajj pilgrimage. — AFP
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ISLAMABAD: Since Saudi Arabia has implemented the requirements of meningitis and polio vaccination for Umrah pilgrims, people across Pakistan have severe challenges due to the delay in the nationwide decline of the meningitis vaccine and the delay in obtaining polio vaccination certificates. The victims, it emerged on Tuesday.
The meningitis vaccine, which is a prerequisite for traveling to Saudi Arabia, is not available across the country, which has been confirmed by potential pilgrims, pharmacy owners and officials.
Both companies (languages) and (P) have been out of stock for weeks for weeks. Due to this, the black market has been sold, the vaccine has been sold for more than Rs 10,000. Despite the demands of the sky, neither federal nor provincial health officials have taken steps to overcome this shortage.
Fake vaccine reports have increased chaos. Hajj pilgrims were given a fake vaccine at the Federal Government Poly Clinic Hospital in Islamabad last week.
An official warned, “There is no system to regulate the enrollment of the meningitis vaccine, and the certificate is manually issued when people bring their vaccine,” an official warned that This increases the risk of using ineffective or fake vaccine.
An official of the Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations, and Coordination confirmed the absence of meningitis vaccines nationwide.
The official explained, “People are now approaching NIH for this vaccine, but it does not produce nor manage it.”
Experts have expressed concern over the authenticity of the vaccine at the moment and demanded immediate government intervention.
A senior official at the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) said that the vaccine of the meningitis was previously considered a “slow motion” item, which resulted in limited stock. However, the increase in demand after the mandate of Saudi Arabia is a nationwide decline.
The official assured that “thousands of glasses are expected to be imported next week to deal with the crisis.
“Currently, there are more than 13,000 glasses available nationwide, but we have instructed importers to bring extra equipment to meet the growing demand.”
The official also said that the DRAP was actively investigating the reports of fake vaccines and vowed to prosecute those involved in such methods.
The pursuit of the challenges of pilgrims is a burdening process of obtaining a polio vaccination certificate. Although oral polio vaccine (OPV) drops can be given at any health facility, only District Health Officers (DHOs) vaccinated the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) system in the system Have the option to update. This barrier has led to a prolonged delay, as DHOS is struggling to maintain high amounts of certification requests.
“Polio is not the responsibility of the NIH, but they are being dragged into the certification process,” said a federal health official. The pilgrims have put more burden on the pilgrims.
A health official said, “From vaccine importers and retailers to issuers, pilgrims have become a source of profit for every institution in Pakistan.”
The Ministry of Religious Affairs Health and Officials have called on the Federal Health Ministry to take faster action to deal with the vaccination crisis.
He emphasized the need to ensure the availability of authentic meningitis vaccine at affordable prices and demanded to improve the polio certification process. It was also recommended to extend the number of authorized personnel to issue and update the certificate so that the back blog could be removed.
An official advised that “a central and effective vaccination system should be developed for meningitis, polio and other travel needs, with appropriate rule and monitoring to prevent exploitation,” He also proposed to exempt a NADRA fee of Rs 10000 for the polio vaccination certificate so that the financial burden on the pilgrims could be reduced. As the Umrah season progresses, the lack of planning and harmony has left thousands of pilgrims in trouble. Experts have warned that without immediate intervention, the crisis will deteriorate, and will make the journey more complicated for those who fulfill their religious responsibilities.
