|
Islamabad, December 4,
2001.
UNICEF will help Pakistan in the provision of safe potable water through
out the country and special assistance will be provided for safe water
digging in drought hit areas of Balochistan and Sindh. This was said by
Executive Director of UNICEF Ms. Micarol Bellamy during a meeting with the
Health Minister Dr. Abdul Malik Kasi here today. E.D. of UNICEF is
currently on a visit to Pakistan. She said, the
EPI programme is going on well and UNICEF will
provide more assistance for the control mortality rate of child
and mother. She said all the projects regarding maternal health
would be further strengthened.
The evaluation of on-going projects in the health sector assisted by
UNICEF were discussed in detail. Ms. Mascarol
said that it was a big news for her that
Pakistan is launching a vaccination campaign in all the 57 districts of
the country to save children from Hepatitis-B alongwith polio-drops
and vitamin-A. She said, UNICEF always stresses
the protection of child and mother, it is good
that campaign is being launched from January 2002.
She also appreciated the efforts made in 44 districts to give anti-tetanus
vaccine to all the 5 million child-bearing age women. The Minister told
the
E.D. that at present 44000 Lady Health Workers are working in the 44000
villages of the country. It is a very good referral system, all the
serious cases of child and mother especially are
referred to nearly hospitals.
Government is going to raise this figure to 10,000. The Lady Health
Workers are also educating the women about the
health care and use of safe water beside advice
on family planning.
Ms. Mscarol remarked that this programme perused promptly would yield very
good results. She said, so far as safe potable is concerned, UNICEF
would assist hectically. It has its own system
of engineering for the purpose and UNICEF will
provide maximum assistance, she added.
The Minister appreciated the role played by UNICEF in the drought hit
areas in Balochistan and Sindh in the past and
pointed out that for the resolution this issue
in the drought area permanent arrangements are required. He hoped
UNICEF will provide full cooperation. The role of UNICEF in
creating awareness about the use of safe water
is also appreciable.
Secretary Health Mr. Ejaz Rahim said that the programme will save the
people and the children from HIV AIDS with the 46 million dollars
assistance of World Bank is being implemented
successfully. He said, to check the spread of
Virhal and contiguous diseases there should be a strong linkage
between the women and children of Afghanistan and Pakistan. He was
also thankful to the role of Global Alliance
vaccine immunization for providing Hepatitis-B
vaccine and Vitamine-A drops. |
