Previously inaccessible children immunised at camps against polio and measles

[Naveed Yaseen]

Over 17,000 children housed in camps for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) have so far been immunised against polio and 9,000 against measles.

Majority of these children were previously inaccessible for immunisation on account of the precarious security situation in their region, the national manager of the Expanded Programme on Immunisation Dr. Altaf Bosan informed here on Friday.

Supplementing Dr. Bosan’s remarks, Health Secretary Khushnood Lashari has claimed that the Federal EPI Cell is in constant touch with the provincial authorities and more vaccine antigens are being provided as per requirement in the camps.

Lashari’s statement came on his return from a visit to the Jallozai camp, where he had gone to ascertain the authenticity of reports about cholera outbreak among the IDPs.

“Since the weather poses a challenge in terms of the risk of outbreaks, mass vaccination against measles, tetanus and polio has been started,” Lashari said. He confirmed that there was no outbreak of cholera in the camp; however, a few cases of ordinary diarrhoea were reported.

The Ministry of Health has established a 20-bed field hospital in the Jallozai camp; medical staff and adequate medical supplies are available now to cater to the health needs of the 50,000 residents in the camp. “Arrangements are in place to cater to any possible future health emergency in the camps and we have provided the wherewithal for any such eventuality,” the secretary said.

Lashari said the Lady Health Workers have been mobilised and are providing primary health services to the IDPs alongside education regarding hygiene and other preventive measures. Twenty-three health corners have been established by the LHWs who number more than 30 per camp.

Most of these LHWs are themselves displaced and are residing in these camps. The LHWs know the people in the camps and are better able to provide health education and primary health services to them.

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