Run & Ride event lights up F-9 Park

Islamabad:The District Health Office (DHO) Islamabad, under the Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations, and Coordination, in collaboration with UNICEF, the World Health Organisation (WHO), the Federal Directorate of Immunization, and several other organizations, organized a vibrant and colourful "Run & Ride" event at F-9 Park on Sunday.

Senior officials, including the Coordination Health, Secretary Health, Director General Health, Deputy Commissioner Islamabad, and several other high-ranking officers, participated enthusiastically in the event. The officers highly appreciated District Health Officer (DHO) Dr. Syeda Rashida Batool and District Population Welfare Officer (DPWO) Muhammad Ayub for making the program lively, colourful, and well-organized.

Residents of the federal capital attended the event with great zeal and fervour. Families thoroughly enjoyed the festive atmosphere and praised the Health and Population departments for arranging such a delightful activity. The main objective of the event was to "Celebrate Lifesaving Milestones" as part of World Immunisation Week, observed from April 24 to 30. Another title associated with the event was "Vaccinates for Pakistan."

The event featured healthy activities, including a bicycle rally and a running competition, with participation from both the general public and DHO staff members, adding to the colour and excitement of the occasion. World Immunisation Week is celebrated annually during the last week of April to highlight the collective action required to promote the use of vaccines in protecting people against preventable diseases.

This year’s theme, "The Big Catch-up," calls for greater engagement around immunization worldwide, emphasizing the crucial role vaccines play in improving the health and well-being of people everywhere. During the event, participants urged parents to ensure their children are vaccinated against 12 deadly diseases before the age of two. They emphasized that the ultimate goal is to protect more children from vaccine-preventable diseases and raise public awareness about the immense value of vaccines.

Speakers reaffirmed the Government of Pakistan’s commitment to making safe and effective vaccines accessible to every child, including those in vulnerable and remote communities. In their closing remarks, DHO Dr. Syeda Rashida Batool and DPWO Muhammad Ayub thanked all participants for their enthusiastic involvement and extended their heartfelt gratitude to frontline health workers for their tireless efforts.

They reiterated the government's dedication to achieving 100 per cent vaccination registration and availability, especially in remote and disadvantaged areas. They noted that frontline workers play an essential role in ensuring the success of immunization initiatives and protecting the public from diseases and epidemics. It is worth mentioning that the event saw active participation not only from families but also from a large number of young boys and girls, who fully enjoyed the festivities in a peaceful and vibrant atmosphere.