DG Health emphasizes the importance of improving routine immunization

Lahore: Director General Health Services Punjab Dr. Amjad Shahzad emphasized the importance of improving routine immunization and quality of surveillance in the monthly meeting of the District Officers (Health) of districts of Punjab.

The DOs (H)meeting was chaired by Director General Health Services Punjab Dr. Amjad Shahzad and attended by Director EPI Dr. Munir Ahmed, representatives of UNICEF, WHO, Gates Foundation and District Officers (Health) of all districts. Besides the review of surveillance progress on nine vaccine preventable diseases, the surveillance reporting inconsistencies and ways to address them were analyzed and districts not showing desired pace of improvement were directed to improve accordingly.

Director EPI Dr. Munir Ahmed directed the districts with vacant positions of vaccinators to complete hiring as early possible. He said positions of 2400 vaccinators over the next five years across the province were created. Dr. Munir Ahmed further said that the dashboard developed by the PITB must be fully utilized and DOs (H) must themselves ensure submission of surveillance data after necessary desk analysis.

Director EPI also presented data analysis of dropout rates in all districts — difference in the first dose(BCG) and the measles 1. The DHOs were directed to hold the vaccinators accountable in districts showing drop out beyond acceptable limits.

Director EPI also sought progress update on android phone requirement of districts. The smart phones have tailor-made application E-vaccs through which the progress of vaccinators is assessed. He directed the DOHs to ensure the mapping and registration of migrant and mobile population and improve AFP surveillance. He said Neilson survey is already underway and results will be shared once it is complete.

WHO representative Dr. Mazhar Qureshi gave technical presentation on case-based measles surveillance. He also presented an analysis on data reporting pattern of all districts.