KARACHI, March 28: The Sindh Extended Programme for Immunization Project Director Dr Ali Nawaz Shaikh on Monday reaffirmed his commitment to strengthen the routine immunization of children against preventable diseases.

In a presentation about measures adopted to improve the immunization coverage of all children against identified diseases, he observed that it was the basic right of children and the latter could not and must not be denied of it.

Giving details of the routine immunization coverage in different districts, he said that while coverage of some disease was registered to be satisfactory other including measles happened to be comparatively low while immunization of pregnant ladies happened to be inconsequential.

Reminding that the 2005 is an extremely crucial year, he said that emphasis was also on providing health education to parents through health education officers, vaccinators, paramedics and lady health workers.

He said that plan for outreach mobile teams and vaccination camps were also part of the programme while medical officers and concerned in charges had also been actively engaged to ensure that outreach vaccinators submit their advance tour plans.

Supervision, monitoring and accountability were also integral part of the strategy, Dr Ali Nawaz said mentioning that monitoring plans are also being documented and measures are underway to ensure that these are followed.—APP