‘Punjab first to launch DTP vaccine’

LAHORE: Punjab Minister for Primary & Secondary Health (P&SH) Khawaja Imran Nazir said Punjab has become first province in the country to introduce DTP booster vaccine. The vaccine would provide shield to the children against diphtheria, pertussis and tetanus.

He was addressing the launching ceremony of DTP booster vaccine under EPI Programme at a local hotel here on Thursday. Secretary Health Ali Jan Khan, Health Services Director General Dr Munir Ahmad, officials of the department, representatives of international development partners, health workers and vaccinators attended the ceremony.

Khawaja Imran said the vaccine would help the children at the age of four/five years to ensure their immunity against the said diseases. He said all the provincial governments and political leadership of Pakistan should work beyond political differences for the betterment of the future generation.

The minister was of the view that a joint strategy should be adopted and consolidated steps must be taken to eradicate polio, malnutrition and infant mortality from the country. Khawaja Imran said it was also the responsibility of the parents to pay attention on the health of their children.

UNICEF representative Douglas, WHO Punjab representative Dr Jamshed and Dr Raul Bonifico congratulated the Punjab government for introducing of DTP booster dose. Douglas said the vaccine would be helpful to save thousands of lives of the children.

Ali Jan said during the last two years whole the department had worked efficiently and provided a solid infrastructure for disease prevention programme in Punjab. It would be easy for the coming governments to run the programme according to the future requirements.

Meanwhile, Khawaja Imran inaugurated a photographic exhibition of photographer Amir Khan. Amir has depicted the hardships of polio workers during the anti-polio campaign in the remote areas. 50 photographs were displayed in the exhibition. Khawaja Imran appreciated the capabilities of Amir. He also presented a certificate of appreciation to the photographer.

seminar: University of Education (UOE) Thursday organised a seminar “History of English Literature and Language in Sub-Continent” at its Township Campus. Speaking on the occasion Historian Dr Tariq Rehman said Sub-Continent had produced many eminent scholars in the field of literature who became famous all around the globe.

He said the era of British Rule was a golden period for the promotion of English Language and Literature and many Muslim leaders like Sir Syed Ahmad Khan did a lot to promote English language among Muslim community.

University of Education Vice-Chancellor Dr Rauf-i-Azam said the teachers and students should read the literature and the knowledge-seeker could not be lagged behind in his life because it brought real shine in life.