DSCC working to strengthen immunization activities

Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) Chief Health Officer Dr Fazle Shamsul Kabir today said DSCC is working to strengthen immunization activities alongside prioritizing child immunization for their protection.

“Vaccination programme of Bangladesh is a role model for the world. DSCC is working on how to further strengthen the immunization process, and for this, the capacity of DSCC in vaccination will be increased,” he said.

The chief health officer made the remarks while chairing a event, organized for releasing research results- “Challenges of expanded immunization programme in DSCC and ways to overcome” at Nagar Bhaban, said a press release.

He said DSCC is also emphasizing on child protection immunization programmes along with better monitoring of evening immunization campaign so no child is left out.

Dr Riad Mahmood, health manager of UNICEF, Bangladesh mentioned immunization as a life-saving investment, saying every year, around 50 lakh people escaped disease by taking EPI vaccine, while 1.15 crore girls have remained out of cancer due to vaccination.

“We’re going to start a catch-up campaign from November 10, through which 35,000 girls who were left out in previous years will be able to get vaccinated,” he added.

Dr. Nizam Uddin Ahmed, Chairman of Gavi CSO and Executive Director of Health Protection Foundation, said that DSCC has achieved relatively successful vaccination programs but is lagging behind in several areas and main reason for this is the shortage of manpower involved in vaccination activities.

The concerned department should come forward to strengthen the immunization process through quick creation of new posts and recruitment of manpower and effective monitoring to solve the problem, he added.

Dr. SM Abdullah-Al-Murad, Director and Line Director, EPI, MNC&AH, said that every human being has a lot of potential and if it is properly utilized then desired goal of immunization program will surely be achieved.

EPI Program Manager Dr. Abul Fazal Mohammad Sahabuddin Khan, and health ministry joint Secretary Md. Mohsin, among others, also spoke with Prof. Dr. Rafiqul Islam of Department of Sociology of Jagannath University and Director of Health Protection Foundation in the chair.