Media Urged To Help Eradicate Chronic Diseases By Mobilising People

Speakers at a workshop have urged the media to mobilise people and raise awareness about the use of vaccines to protect new generation against crippling diseases

RAWALPINDI, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News – APP – 15th Apr, 2019 ) :Speakers at a workshop have urged the media to mobilise people and raise awareness about the use of vaccines to protect new generation against crippling diseases.

Addressing a media workshop with theme of the year “Protected Together: Vaccines Work” organized by District Health Authority in collaboration with Punjab government and United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund, here at a local hotel, Deputy Commissioner Chaudary Muhammad AliRandhawa asked the media to support the campaign for diseases eradication to be started from April24 to 30 across the country.

Randhwa said media can bridge the gap between the government and public by educating and motivating parents and other segments of the society for vaccination of chronic diseases like Polio, Measles, Pertussis, Diphtheria, Tetanus, Hepatitis-B and Tuberculosis.

The deputy commissioner said pro-active and dynamic working procedures have been put in place to improve coordination with the bordering areas of the twin cities and people coming from other areas to stop the transmission of the various viruses in the district.

He said all the stakeholders should have to come together and devise an effective strategy to tackle the crippling disease.

He said a healthy child is essential for a healthy society and this message should be conveyed at every nook and cranny of the district.

Speaking on the occasion, Incharge Anti Polio Drive said no polio case has been detected in the district since 2010 but there is need to create awareness among the people and remove the misconception about anti-polio drops who refused to administer them to their children.

He said the Punjab government is actively following Expanded Program on Immunization, a disease prevention programme to reduce illness, disability and mortality rate to achieve 100 per cent results set for the health sector under the millennium development goal.

He requested the media to generate a demand from within communities for anti-polio and other vaccinations to safeguard their children against all crippling and deadly diseases.

Journalist Tahir Gondal, who participated in the discussion, said media has played a significant role in developing a positive national narrative regarding the elimination of polio and other diseases.

Another journalist suggested that the electronic media can play an even bigger role by giving more airtime to social and health issues.

Chief Executive Officer Health Authority Dr Rashid Mehmood, Dr Fauzia,Dr Sarwat, Dr Zeeshan, representatives of WHO, UNICEF and senior journalists attended the workshop.