Measles campaign in Balochistan to start today
Measles campaign in Balochistan to start today
Our Reporter
BalochistanLead

QUETTA: Secretary Primary and Secondary Health Care Aziz Ahmad Jamali has said that measles prevention vaccination is being started in 55 union councils of Balochistan from Monday. The measles vaccine is the best defense against life-threatening diseases and infections in children.

“EPI is playing its role in eradicating measles,” said Dr. Ishaq Panezi.

Under the direction of Secretary Primary and Secondary Health Care Aziz Ahmad Jamali, a six-day measles campaign is being launched in 55 high-risk union councils in collaboration with the provincial EPI program and WHO Balochistan from July 5.

In this campaign, about 1.5 lakh children from 6 months to 7 years of age will be vaccinated against measles in the following districts.

The districts are Dera Bugti, Sibi, Ziarat, Khuzdar, Surab, Kalat.

“Measles campaign activities at the provincial level will be monitored in the above districts,” Secretary Primary and Secondary Health Care Aziz Ahmad Jamali said.

He said that measles vaccines are the best defense against life-threatening diseases and infections in children. With the support of District Health Officers and Deputy District Health Officers and the adoption of effective strategies, the targets set for measles vaccination at the regional level can be achieved.

Secretary Primary and Secondary Health Care Aziz Ahmad Jamali said that thousands of children fall prey to a serious disease like measles.

“Given the ongoing risk of infectious diseases such as measles, where high coverage is necessary to prevent an outbreak,” he said.

He added that routine vaccinations may be more helpful in controlling infectious diseases. Measles vaccines provide the necessary protection against potentially deadly diseases.

“Prophylactic vaccines have the potential to have far-reaching effects on health services and well-being. In many countries where measles vaccination programs have been extremely successful, there has been a marked reduction in the number of life-threatening diseases,” he said and added that it is everyone’s responsibility to ensure the continued success of the measles prevention campaign.