LAHORE:“Vaccines stimulate the body’s immune system to protect it against infections or diseases. It is a global health success story, which saves millions of lives annually by reducing risk of contracting diseases”.
These views were expressed at a seminar “World Immunisation Week” organised jointly by Mir Khalil-ur-Rahman Memorial Society (Jang Group of Newspapers) and Expanded Programme for Immunisation and Unicef.
The event was presided over by Minister for Primary and Secondary Health Khawaja Imran Nazir. The guest of honour was PDI-IRMH Dr Khalil Sukhani. The opening speech was delivered by Immunisation Officer Dr Khurram Mubeen.
The guests included Vice Chancellor Fatima Jinnah Medical College Prof Dr Khalid Masood Gondal, Dr Irtza Chaudhry (TFP Gates Foundation), Dr Jamshed Ahmad (Head of Sub Office WHO), Dr Imran Qureshi (Technical Officer WHO), Dr Kaleem Malhi (President PPA), Dr Tariq Bhatta (ex-Chairman NITAG), Dr Ashraf Nizami (President PMA), Dr Tariq Mian (President PAFE) and Aqeel Sarfaraz (Social and Behaviour Change Consultant).
Health Minister Khawaja Imran Nazir said before making our children wealthy, first make them healthy. “When a child is born, it is your first responsibility to complete his immunisation course”, he reminded. Insulin was being imported, but now it is being made in our country, he said.
Professor Dr Tariq Bhatta said we have been running health campaigns for several years, but still we are not able to control diseases. Our health department is working very hard, he said, adding, “It is our duty to support them. If someone comes to your house, open the door and get your children vaccinated”, he advised.
Dr Khalil Sukhani said our health department is doing a great job regarding vaccination of children. All the other provinces also need cooperation, he said. “When a child is born, the first thing we should do is to complete his immunisation course”, he emphasised.
Professor Dr Khalid Masood Gondal said we should catch the disease early. “The disease worsens with the passage of time. If the facility of vaccination is being provided, then why we do not taking advantage of it”, he questioned. Dr Samra Khurram said the first responsibility of parents should be to ensure their children immunisation course is completed. Prof Dr Saira Afzal said immunisation is of immense importance, while vaccines are just one aspect. “When we invented TB vaccine, its rate came down from 7 percent to 5pc, which shows the progress made”, she said. Dr Tariq Mian said we should highlight the historical impact of vaccines which saved millions of lives, eradicating diseases.Professor Dr Ashraf Nizami said vaccines work by strengthening our immune system, enabling us to fight diseases like measles, polio and influenza. Dr Jamshed Ahmed said we must appreciate the progress made in immunisation efforts.
Dr Irtaza Chaudhry said we should encourage our friends and family to get vaccinated. Dr Azhar Masood Bhatti said we must spread this information to our loved ones.Dr Kaleem Malhi said vaccines have eradicated smallpox, brought polio to the brink of extinction and significantly reduced incidence of diseases like measles, mumps and rubella. Humaira Khan said the EPI rate has reached 90 percent, but challenges remain.
Dr Imran Qureshi, Aqeel Sarfaraz and Wasif Nagi said vaccines have saved millions of lives. The efforts of healthcare workers and scientists should be highlighted, they stressed. —Report: