KHAR/GHALANI: A 12-day anti- measles drive was kicked off in Bajaur tribal agency on Thursday after a break of eight years.

The inaugural ceremony of the drive was held in the agency headquarters hospital Khar that was chaired by Political Agent Mohammad Yaha Akhunzada. Officials of health department, tribal elders, religious scholars and journalists attended the ceremony.

Addressing the ceremony, political agent said that campaign against measles in the agency was need of the hour as the disease claimed scores of lives every year. He appreciated the health department for launching the drive and hoped that the campaign would help to control measles in the region.

170,000 children to be vaccinated in Mohmand against the disease

The political agent called upon the elders and religious scholars to extend their support to the health department make the campaign a success. He also urged the health department to adopt effective system to monitor the drive. Check and balance was necessary for the success of such activities, he added.

“No doubt the workers, who have been assigned for campaign, are competent, experts and honest but strong monitoring system is necessary for the success of any activity,” said the political agent.

He said that foolproof security was being provided to the health workers during the campaign.

On the occasion, the elders and religious leaders pledged to continue their cooperation with the health department to make the campaign a success.

Later, Agency surgeon Dr Zakir Hussain briefed the journalists about the campaign. He said that total 1,259 workers of health department, 178 health technicians among them, would take part in the campaign.

He said that 422,000 children between six months and 10 years would be vaccinated in the drive, which would continue till Sept 2.

Sources said that no female health worker was taking part in the current anti-measles drive in any parts of the agency owing security reasons.

In Mohmand Agency, the 12-day anti-measles campaign was also launched on Thursday to put brakes on the disease by vaccinating about 170,000 children.

Agency Surgeon Dr Razaullah told the participants of the inaugural ceremony that they had already carried out anti-measles drive in 2013 but it was limited to specific areas due to security reasons.

“Now this drive will be carried out in every nook and corner of the tribal agency owing to the improved law order situation,” he said. He added that 170,000 children would be vaccinated in the agency during the drive.

The agency surgeon said that 127 teams were formed for the campaign. Each team was consisted of five members including medical technician, dispenser, EPI technician, social mobiliser and facilitator, he said, adding that they would also administer anti-polio drops to children under five years age during the campaign.

He said that health department felt the need of carrying out a full-fledged campaign throughout the agency when measles cases were reported from Haleemzai, Ambar and Pandilai teshils. 

Dr Razaullah said that workers would vaccinate children in schools, health centres and seminaries.

Political Agent Waqar Ali Khan said that security would be provided to the vaccinators despite satisfactory law and order in Mohmand Agency.

Published in Dawn, August 21st, 2015

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