Moot highlights use of vaccines to ward off diseases

LAHORE: Punjab organised the launching seminar of World Immunisation Week 2024 at a local hotel with participation from parliamentarians, professors, UN organisation representatives, health managers, Ulema and academicians at a local hotel on Wednesday with a pledge to control diseases that can be prevented with vaccines.

The World Immunisation Week is commemorated world over from April 24-30 and the occasion is used to spread awareness among masses on vaccination and its public health benefits.

Director General Health Services Punjab Dr Ilyas Gondal, Director Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI) Punjab Dr Mukhtar Ahmed, Programme Managers, UNICEF Health Specialist Dr Quratul Ain Ahmed, Head of Office WHO Sub Office Punjab Dr Jamshaid Ahmed, BMGF, UNFPA, and WFP representatives, Vice Chancellor University of Child Health Sciences Prof Masood Sadiq, President Pakistan Medical Association Dr Ashraf Nizami, President Pakistan Pediatric Association Dr Naeem Zafar, President Pakistan Academy of Family Physicians Dr Tariq Mian, President Pakistan Muttahida Ulema Council Mufi Naeem Rehmat Noori, Former Chairman NITAG Prof Tariq Iqbal Bhutta, health and a large number of health professionals attended the event.

Addressing the moot Punjab Minister for Primary and Secondary Healthcare Department Khawaja Imran Nazir said without community participation health initiatives cannot produce desired results.

He said, "The Government is providing quality and safe vaccine free of cost, now parents must play their role and get their children vaccinated. Vaccines are provided free of cost at all health facilities through skilled healthcare staff." The minister said the World Immunisation Week provided an opportunity to highlight and promote the use of vaccines to protect people of all ages against vaccine preventable diseases.

The theme of the World Immunisation Week 2024 is Humanly Possible: Saving lives through immunisation. The year 2024 marks the 50th anniversary of EPI and therefore this year provides a pivotal occasion to celebrate the programme achievements and highlight its impact on lives saved.