Polio eradication 2016-17: implementation of national emergency plan reviewed

The monthly meeting of the Executive District Officers Health was held here on Sunday to review the implementation of the national emergency plan for polio eradication 2016-17 across the province.
It was observed that Punjab's LQAS(Lot quality assurance sampling) results for Polio NID September were 93%, much above the pass benchmark, but the troubled Union councils still needed to be analysed in detail.
Advisor to CM on Health Khawaja Salman Rafique chaired the meeting which was also attended by Secretary Primary and Secondary Healthcare Ali Jan Khan, Director General Health Services Punjab Dr Mukhtar Hussain Syed, EDOs(H) of all districts, CM Roadmap team, PITB, Policy and Strategic Planning Unit, UNICEF, WHO and Program Managers participated in the conference.
The Advisor to the CM reviewed diphtheria situation and stressed that in case of a suspect case, mop up be conducted in surrounding 40 households and in case of mortality, all children below five years in the area be administered Penta dose.
It was also decided that in compliance with Supreme Court decision, the Vaccine Vial Monitor column will be added in reporting tools for polio workers. Secretary Primary and Secondary Healthcare Ali Jan Khan said that preventive healthcare was under special focus and based on study of successful models in the region and the world, new initiatives were being introduced by the start of 2017.
He reviewed the immunisation efforts in the southern districts and asked the districts to prepare special immunisation plans for riverine areas. The Secretary P&SH also directed the penalties and other disciplinary measures may be imposed on staff not complying with bio-matric attendance.
The meeting reviewed the status of BHUs, facilities and resources needed for improvement. The CM Roadmap team also presented analysis on Key Performance Indicators for Primary and Secondary Healthcare. Vaccinators' performance was under special scanner and it was decided that Punjab will further fine tune its immunisation program by analysis of child level data.
The status of safe deliveries, MO presence, MO Posting, Consultant postings and janitorial services was reviewed through data analysis. Director EPI Dr Munir Ahmed gave presentation on NEAP 2016-17 indicators for immediate compliance and said that SNID will be held in selected high risk districts from October 24-27. Dr Akhtar Rashid presented detailed analysis of IRMNCH Program and urged the districts to extend their support to the program.