LAHORE: Punjab government is implementing a programme to provide best medical treatment facilities and prevention of disease and it will fully endorse the legislation on Mandatory Vaccination and Protection of Health Workers.
Advisor to Chief Minister Punjab on Health, Khawaja Salman Rafique stated this while talking to the Prime Minister’s focal person on Polio, Senator Ayesha Raza Farooq in a consultative meeting here Sunday.
On this occasion Ayesha Raza Farooq said that she had tabled the draft Bill in the Senate in April this year.
She said that one out of 10 children dies and cannot reach their 5th birthday due to diseases which could otherwise be cured through vaccination.
“We need to start educating the constituents that it is their responsibility to vaccinate and give a healthy life to children,” she opined.
Commenting on the significance of uniform law across the country, Ayesha Raza said that polio virus and other diseases know no boundary, therefore, uniform law is needed to protect all children across the country.
Provinces should introduce their own Bill for Mandatory Vaccination or give mandate to Federal legislation so that a uniform law can protect our children from death and disability, she added.
Earlier, Pakistan Pediatrician Association President, Dr Tahir Masood presented an overall situation of Immunization in the country and highlighted that vaccine preventable diseases is one of the main causes of under five mortality rate in the country.
Khawaja Salman Rafique said that coverage of routine immunization in Punjab has been increased from 50 to 75 percent within a year due to strict implementation on Chief Minister Health Roadmap Programme.
The CM’s Advisor said that Punjab government would fully support the legislation on Mandatory Vaccination and Protection of Health Workers and the members of Punjab Assembly would be taken into confidence in this regard.
The meeting urged upon the Assembly members to table a resolution as soon as possible to initiate mandatory vaccination in the country.