Special Assistant to Chief Minister Punjab on Health, Khawaja Salman Rafique has directed Executive District Officers (Health) of all the districts to launch a campaign for eradication of measles in the province like dengue in an effective manner. He said that all officers should improve the surveillance system about measles in their respective districts so that complete eradication of this disease could be ensured.
He said this while addressing a meeting of EDOs Health of all districts of the province to review the situation of measles here today. Director General Health Punjab Dr. Nisar Cheema, Director Health EPI Dr. Tanvir Hussain, Medical Superintendents of teaching hospitals of Lahore, Additional Medical Superintendents, representatives of WHO, UNICEF and other institutions also attended the meeting. Director General Health told on the occasion that due to the spread of measles in Sindh province, strict vigilance is being made on the situation in Punjab and the special MOPUP campaign has been launched in concerned tehsils and union councils for protection from measles and children from the age of six months to 10 years have been vaccinated. Dr. Nisar Cheema told that more than 7000 cases of measles have been reported in Sindh and unfortunately more than 200 children have died. He said that 700 cases have been reported in Punjab so far whereas one child died due to measles in Gujranwala. He said that vaccine of measles is available in all districts. Moreover, more than fifteen lakh doses of vaccine are available in the stock whereas two million more doses are being imported.
EDOs health have been directed that vaccination to the children from the age of six months to ten years should be carried out in all those areas where five or more cases were reported and MOPUP campaign should be launched. Kh. Salmaan Rafiq said that focal persons should be appointed in all teaching hospitals for reporting of measles cases and the data of such patients should be sent to health department on time. He said that the system evolved for dengue report should also be utilized for this purpose.
Kh. Salman further stressed that it is essential that the routine immunization be made more effective for saving the children from measles and other diseases and physical surveillance of vaccinators be carried out.