AKU sets up camp for mass vaccination in quake-hit area

Aga Khan University's (AKU) fifth team of doctors, along with volunteers from Mother and Child Care Trust established a camp at Garhi Habibullah to provide mass vaccination to women and children against infectious diseases, including typhoid, hepatitis-A and measles.
A statement issued here on Sunday said this was the second AKU team working in Garhi Habibullah as this hilly area had received limited relief resources and medical assistance due to restricted road access.
It said the AKU team has a predominance of pediatricians, who are working in close co-ordination with Aga Khan Health Service, Pakistan (AKHS,P) and plans to be operational in this area, especially in the surrounding villages, for the next one year.
AKU team, including orthopaedic and gynaecological experts is involved in rapid assessment and relief, and primary prevention of childhood illnesses through vaccinations.
The team would also train community volunteers for maternal and child care skills and aims to establish strong community links for future reconstruction.
AKU Department of Paediatrics Chairman, Professor Dr Zulfiqar Bhutta said: "The disaster has unfortunately affected children disproportionately, with over half the casualties and wounded representing children and adolescents."
He said along with obstetric, medicine and orthopaedic experts, our team has a majority of pediatricians so that, along with the rest of population, we can cater to the special needs of children".
Speaking on AKU's intention to establish a field ambulatory clinic at Garhi Habibullah, Dr Bhutta stated, "we are in a race against time to reach at risk families and children for vaccination and health support before winter sets in and also aim to train local volunteers and health workers in preventive and basic management strategies for childhood illnesses.
He added "we will be working in close co-ordination with AKHS,P and with the support from Mother and Child Care Trust, we intend to be the channel of relief, primary care support reconstruction and development."
The statement said this was the fifth team of medical professionals from AKU to go to the earthquake-affected areas. AKUs four other teams consisting of doctors and nurses, were presently working in Islamabad, Muzaffarabad and in other remote disaster areas.
In addition to these teams, AKU employees, students and medical residents have raised more than Rs 4.8 million and donated medicines; warm clothes and blankets. The University has also donated Rs 5 million towards medicines and in organising relief activities.
These efforts are a part of overall Aga Khan Development Networks (AKDN) relief assistance programme through its various affiliates and agencies which includes financial assistance as well as humanitarian help.