Punjab Health Minister Prof Dr Yasmin Rashid has said that Pakistan likely to become a measles-free country by 2020. She said this while addressing inaugural ceremony of measles eradication drive at Children Hospital on Monday. Advisor to CM Punjab on Health Hanif Khan Pitafi, Dean Children Hospital Professor Masood Sadiq, MD Professor Saleem, DG Health Services Punjab Dr Munir Ahmed, UNICEF Chief Field Office in Pakistan Bukhari, Dr Rana Mushtaq, Dr Qurat-ul-ain, Dr Tanvir Hussain, WHO Chief in Punjab Dr Jamshed, representative of Bill Gates Foundation Dr Aslam Ch and representatives from Global Alliance for Vaccination and Immunization GAVI were also present.
On this occasion, a minor girl was administrated anti-measles vaccine.
"Let me clear that measles is not an ordinary but deadly disease. During 2016, 87,000 children across the globe lost their lives due to measles," said the minister. She emphasized that prevention was better than cure saying, "We have to spend 10 times more money on treatment if we do not care for prevention".
"Unfortunately Pakistan is listed in such countries where measles was still a danger," regretted Yasmin Rashid.
"During anti-measles drive, our primary focus would be those 35,00,00 children who had been declared malnourished in recent survey," she said. While seeking public cooperation, she particularly pointed out the role of media in this regard. About 11 million children would be injected anti-measles vaccine. Injection would be administered to children who were 6-7 months old, she said. She also praised cooperation of international development partners like WHO, UNICEF and GAVI for anti-measles drive and said she was satisfied on arrangements made by DG Health Dr Munir Ahmed.
Advisor to CM Punjab on Health Hanif Khan in his address said that to save future of our children, the government's efforts were not enough and every part of society will have to play due role.