Punjab Minister for Health Khalil Tahir Sindhu has said that without resolving the health problems of women and children, the goal a healthy society in the country cannot be achieved. He stated this while inaugurating provincial launching of 'Mother and Child Health (MCH) Week' here at Government Nawaz Sharif Hospital, Yakki Gate on Monday.
Provincial Co-ordinator Lady Health Workers' Programme Dr Javed Umar, Unicef representative Dr Tahir Manzoor, UNFPA representative Dr Jamil Chaudhary, MS of the hospital Dr Shafqat Ali and other senior doctors were attended the ceremony. The minister said that immunisation and balanced diet is equally important to maintain health of children and pregnant women and for this purpose, 'Mother and Child Health Week' is being observed in Punjab to create awareness among the masses regarding the issue.
Briefing the media representatives regarding MCH Week, the minister said on the occasion that due to anti-dengue activities, the staff has been posted for indoor dengue surveillance and the MCH week has been postponed in Lahore, Rawalpindi, Kasur, Nankana Sahib and Sheikhupura districts till November 10. Khalil Tahir Sindhu also informed that 48,000 lady health workers, along with 5,000 community health workers, will participate in MCH Week who will visit door-to-door for conveying health message. Moreover, they will also administer de-worming tablets to six million children of the age of two to five years. Lady Health Workers will also visit door-to-door for distribution of pamphlets and will also advise one million pregnant women to get administered anti-tetanus injections. He also said that use balanced diet, for medical check-up they should visit qualified doctor, community health workers or lady health visitors for safe delivery, he said.
Khalil Tahir Sindhu said that screening of malnutrition pregnant women, lactating women and children would be carried out in seven flood-affected districts of the province. Moreover, special focus would be given to the slums areas of Sargodha, Gujranwala and Faisalabad, during the MCH Week, he added.