A three-day National Immunisation Campaign against polio is being held in Punjab from November 10 to 12. The health department has directed the District Officers (Health) of all districts of Punjab to review and update their micro-plans. In this connection a meeting of DOHs held here on Thursday. The DOHs meeting was chaired by Director EPI Dr Munir Ahmed and besides the DOHs of 36 districts of Punjab, representatives of UNICEF, WHO and Rotary attended the meeting.
The data analysis and progress review of all districts was presented and three bottom districts Dera Ghazi Khan, Bhakkar and Rajanpur, were directed to improve their performance as they are not showing desired pace of improvement as assessed in last Neilson Survey. The participants were apprised that Punjab is approaching elimination of Mother and Neo Natal Tetanus in near future and a number of cases have dropped considerably as per international standards. The districts were also asked to submit measles surveillance report regularly. Director EPI shared that next Neilson survey will start from 16th November. The meeting also reviewed the Implementation status of Red strategy in southern districts.
As part of Red Strategy, some districts, low on Human Development Index have been picked up and integrated efforts to boost the routine immunisation are undertaken there. The Director EPI also presented data analysis of dropout rates in all districts and difference in the first dose (BCG) and the measles 1. The DOHs were directed to hold the vaccinators accountable in districts showing drop out beyond acceptable limits.
Director EPI also sought an update on android phone requirement for vaccinators. The smart phones have tailor-made application E-vaccs through which the progress of vaccinators is assessed. It was also decided that in November NID, the same-day coverage of not available children during campaign will be ensured by the vaccinating staff. Laying special emphasis on vaccination of still missed and zero routine dose children, the Director EPI shared that segregation be made between local missed children and mobile/migrant population. He directed the DOHs to ensure the mapping and registration of migrant and mobile population from polio reservoirs in host communities. The DOHs of RY Khan, DG Khan, Rajanpur, Bhakkar, Mianwali, Layyah were directed to update status on seasonal movement and DHOs of Lahore, Rawalpindi and Multan were directed to prepare plan for economic migrants.