Sindh Health Secretary has, with immediate effect, ordered suspension of Town Health Officer, Gulshan-e-Iqbal Town, Dr Kazim Raza Memon and Taluka Health Officer, Tando Bago Dr Bashir Ahmed for low coverage during Sub National Immunisation days and their poor performance.
The decision was taken at a meeting held under the chairmanship of Provincial Health Secretary to review the progress of Sub National Immunisation Days in June 2004 and planning for upcoming National Immunisation Days to be organised on July 13 to 14, 2004 in all districts of Sindh.
In the meeting the Sindh Secretary Health also directed to issue show cause notices to Dr Iftikhar Ahmed Mallah, WHO District Surveillance Officer due to poor performance in Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Jamshed, Landhi and Shah Faisal towns and Dr Punhal, DMT for district Khairpur for providing incorrect information to EDO-Health-Khairpur.
In this regard it was decided that the additional charge of Gulberg Town be given to Dr Javaid Iqbal, Town Health Officer, North Karachi due to his good performance with immediate effect.
The Health Secretary also announced to constitute a committee to review the quality of polio vials and minimise the wastage of polio vaccine.
Iqbal Deewan, the Additional Secretary-Health (Development), Dr Imtiaz Ali, Project Director-Sindh EPI, Dr Asif Aslam, Project Officers Health and Nutrition of Unicef were said to be the members of the committee.
It was also decided that all WHO STCs, DSOs, CSPs and THOs should be invited in the next meeting that will be held at least for two consecutive days.
Project Director, EPI-Sindh, Dr Imtiaz A Moghul highlighted the present status of routine immunisation coverage.
According to him the coverage from January to May 2004 was considerably low. The EPI director emphasised that more efforts be made to enhance the routine immunisation activities.
Director General, Sindh Health Services, Dr Hussain Bux Memon in his presentation stated that the poliovirus was still circulating in few areas of the province.
According to him seven polio cases were registered till June this year while during the corresponding year 2003 it was 24. EDO (Health) and Town Health Officers showing poor indicators were directed to improve surveillance indicators and ensure proper implementation of directives of the President General Pervez Musharraf, he added.
Rana Syed, Sindh Unicef chief speaking on the occasion stated that the strengthening of routine immunisation activities is essential for Polio Eradication Initiative.
She suggested that a meeting to review routine immunisation activities should be held at earliest possible time. WHO STCs stated that inspite of good coverage instances of polio is yet registered in district Ghotki.