KARACHI, Aug 25: The WHO representative to Pakistan, Dr Mohammad Khalif Bile alongwith Dr Rehan Hafeez, National Programme Manger of Expanded Programme for Immunization (EPI) here on Monday held threadbare discussion with the provincial health authorities regarding EPI status in Sindh.

The deliberations, which mainly focused on polio eradication campaign in the province, identified certain loopholes in the prevalent strategy to end the “Crippling Disease” and agreed that concerted efforts were required to address the same.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr Bile said that the WHO, a close partner of Pakistan in health sector to help the country attain the desired goal, had decided to divide Sindh into two administrative zones for the sake of improved management of the disease.

The zones, he said, comprising Northern Zone would include northern districts and Southern Zone - the southern districts of the province. Each zone would be run by a competent supervisor, he added.

Efforts would have to be expedited, he stressed while mentioning that Pakistan is still among a few of the countries left with polio virus adding that if small pox could be eradicated so could be the polio.

The WHO country representative expressed his full support for the EPI Programme in Sindh. The meeting was also attended by Sindh Health Secretary Ashiq Hussein Memon, Iqbal Deewan, Additional Secretary Health Dr Qadir Bukhsh Memon, Director General Health Dr Imtiaz Ali Moghal, Director EPI Sindh and other WHO officials including Dr Azmoudeh, Dr G.N. Kazi and Dr Quaid Saeed.

Appreciating the WHO support for Sindh EPI Programme, Sindh Health Secretary said coordination would be ensured to make the modified strategy successful in the larger interest of children.

Dr Rehan Hafeez informed that the federal government would provide all possible resources for the programme including equipment and logistics to fill the management gaps.

The meeting also discussed in detail the modified strategy with particular reference to operational issues.

Later, Dr Bile also visited the Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre and met JPMC Director Dr Kazi Abdul Shakoor. He appreciated the efforts made by the WHO constituted team headed by Dr Shakoor to assess health impact of oil spill at Clifton beach.—APP