Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) is a disease prevention activity aiming at reducing illness, disability, morbidity and mortality from childhood diseases preventable by Immunization. Recently Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) Islamabad in collaboration with UNICEF-Pakistan and Mediations Trust organized a Media Leaders Forum on Child’s Immunization at a local hotel in Islamabad. It was attended by representatives of health department, renowned writers and poets, drama actors, media personnel and EPI team. The objective of the Forum was to discuss the challenges and current status of immunization in Pakistan and role of media in the awareness of immunization.
Dr. Ejaz Ahmed Khan, Director Surveillance EPI Islamabad sharing his views informed that an estimated of 5 million lives can be saved by controlling polio, measles and tetanus whereas measles vaccines prevent 1 million deaths worldwide. Most of the childhood ailments are from environmental population. Bad water and sanitation situation in Pakistan is the main cause for such prevailing diseases in our country. Similarly the situation of rural areas is much worse because people are illiterate. They give least importance to child immunization.
He further added that according to a recent study, children who become more ill have low IQ level compared to other children. In developed countries, fully immunized child is a protected child. Most of the developed countries have made vaccination compulsory after the approval of new child law.
Briefing about the developments of Federal EPI, he informed that Federal EPI has started a series of awareness campaign in which parliamentarians and media personnel are involved. Informing about the contribution by Federal EPI, he said that till-date 6.2 million children under the age of 5 have been vaccinated for 9 diseases. To-date 30 million children have been administrated by polio drops. Recently, GAVI has provided 0.4 million polio doses which are available free of cost. This polio dose will increase the immunity of children against polio viruses. Furthermore, Federal EPI has also established more than 6,000 EPI Centres and around 5,000 outreach mobile teams throughout Pakistan. 10,000 vaccinators gave door to door Polio drops to children throughout Pakistan. Similarly pneumonia vaccines have also been introduced in Pakistan and it is also available free of cost.
Federal EPI has also brought all the provinces together to create a baseline and develop future plan for each province. A helpline has been established with the help of UNICEF which will help mothers to get knowledge about immunization. Later on, he stressed on the important role of media in changing the mindset of our community regarding immunization.
Ghazi Salahuddin said that the issues of our country are not understbale by reporters. WHO report shows that polio cases detected are in Pakistan. In many programs, we urged media to educate people on such issues. Media is also responsible to work on these issues independently.
Pakistani Film & TV Actor, Faisal Rehman said that the issue of immunization has been neglected in our country since long. Pakistan is rich in different resources but unfortunately it is not being properly utilized. It is our responsibility to take lead and talk about such issues. Everybody should get involved including stakeholders and media in the awareness of immunization. Media can play an important role. We should be intellectual in our targets and focus on the main issues of the country, he added.
Young Anchor & Journalist of ARY, Waseem Badami ARY in his remarks said that the rate of Illiteracy is very high in Pakistan. There are many issues in the country which do not get proper coverage. Campaigns are needed to educate parent of such children. Media should work up in attractive manners. He also stressed on developing simple advertisements to educate people of the country.
Ms. Samina Waqar of PTV in her remarks informed that the name of diseases we have been listing since our childhood unfortunately haven’t been controlled it yet. There are a lot of diseases which are prevailing in our country but many of us do not know about those diseases. Stakeholders, policy makers, media personnel gathered here should raise awareness about such diseases. There is also the need to develop weekly programs on such issues to educate our population.
Senior Reporter Adil Abbasi of Ab tk News said that besides attending different seminars and conferences but there is no follow-up. There should be detailed programs on such issues with relevant guests who could brief on such issues and recommendations should be shared with all of us.
Faisal Shakeel, Capital TV in his address said that the healthcare situation of our country is very poor. The basic healthcare facilities in many cities of Pakistan are not available. There is a need to streamline the existing system of healthcare in our country.
Shahid Nadeem of PTV said that our commitment stands on social responsibility which includes issues of social and human rights and political issues and issue of children. Theater is a platform to target specific audience and reshape their thinking. Media role is very important therefore news including drama, morning shows et should be made more informative.
Senior Journalist & Editor of Medical Review Muhammad Fareed said that all the vaccination has been introduced by health ministry throughout the country but the disease is still prevailing in our country. Religious scholars should come forward in raising awareness about the immunization.
Writer Amjad Islam Amjad, Syed Mohsin Raza Gilani, Actor Munno bhai, and Usman Ghani of DG Health Office Punjab also spoke on the occasion.
In the end, Wajih Akhtar offered vote of thanks.