Lahore September 30: Rana Mashhood Ahmed Khan, Deputy Speaker of the Provincial assembly of the Punjab and Patron PILDAT Parliamentary Caucus of MPA�s of Punjab on Immunization, while speaking to the participants of the Briefing Session on the Importance of Immunization in Flood Hit Areas, said that the magnitude of this disaster was huge and even bigger than hurricane KATRINA. Therefore well coordinated and planed efforts are required to deal with the calamity. He praised the efforts of not only the government of the Punjab but also the members of the Punjab Assembly that they came together to help the victims across board and across party lines. He said that the government could not meet with this challenge alone and all sectors of the society have to come forward and contribute. He thanked PILDAT for providing the platform where the members of the Provincial Assembly of Punjab could debate these issues above part lines. He asked PILDAT to arrange another meeting in which he asked the MPA�s to come prepared with their suggestions to cope with the issues in the flood hit areas more effectively.

Stressing upon the need of making immunization drive in flood hit areas more effective and result oriented, speakers at a seminar have urged parliamentarians, civil society organizations and media to join hands for the cause of saving affected people, especially pregnant women and children from diseases.

The pledge was made at a special briefing organised by Pakistan Institute of Legislative Development and Transparency (PILDAT) at a local hotel here today. The event was chaired by Honourable Rana Mashhood Ahmed Khan, Deputy Speaker Punjab Assembly and Patron of the Caucus of MPA�s of Punjab on Immunization.

Opening the session, PILDAT project manager Faheem Ahmed Khan recalled that his organization had formed a caucus of lawmakers in June which had chalked out future course of action after holding in-depth discussions on importance of immunization. However, the worst ever floods which hit the country in the ensuing months not only caused devastation of infrastructure but also played havoc with human health in the affected areas, he added.

The outbreak of epidemics in many areas had necessitated a strategy to overcome the problem, the PILDAT official said, adding, the briefings by his organization were aimed at involving the lawmakers, media and civil society activists in the process of creating awareness among the masses in this regard.

Following him, Dr. Asad Ashraf, Chairman Task Force on Health and convener PILDAT Parliamentary Caucus on Immunization gave an overview of immediate response in the wake of floods in Punjab. He praised the steps taken by the Punjab government and informed that the Provincial Health Directorate had moved the offices of the EPI staff to the Muzaffarghrah to cater to the needs of the worst flood hit areas. He opined that due to the timely efforts of the Provincial Health Department and launching of immunization campaigns outbreak of epidemics has been checked effectively and the immunization campaign has been extended till first week of October 2010 to extend its outreach.

Mr. Mohsin Khan Leghari, MPA, informed the gathering about the devastation of the floods and spoke at length about the devastations caused. He said not only the houses and at places complete villages have been wiped out the floods have also caused damage to human health and many water borne diseases have broken out in the flood hit areas. He was critical of the government for not sending female doctors and female health workers to the flood hit areas as people in those areas due to their peculiar culture were reluctant in getting their women treated by male doctors.

Dr. Asma Mamdoot, MPA, Speaking on the occasion stressed the need for educating the masses about the importance of immunization and said that well coordinated efforts should be made to highlight the issue.

Ms. Sajida Mir. MPA, talked about her personal experiences in the flood hit areas and laid stressed that there was a need for volunteers to come forward and help rebuild these flood hit areas as government alone, in her opinion, could not do this owing to the magnitude of the disaster.

MPA, Sher Ali Khan, questioned that if the government had gathered any figures about the number of children vaccinated so far. Dr. Asad Ashraf informed that the data was being collected and will be finalized after the immunization campaign. In reply to another question by Dr. Aman Butter, MPA, Dr. Asad Ashraf informed that the government is importing mobile hospitals specially for these floods hit areas and they will be seen operating very shortly. He further said that the real need in the flood hit areas now, is the supply of medicines.

Ms. Ayesha Javed, MPA, questioned if there was any legislation done or considered for responding to any natural calamities to which Dr. Asad Ashraf and Rana Mashhood Ahmed Khan both agreed that there was a need to set standard Operating Procedures for dealing with such crisis. The participants also questioned the role of the National Disaster Management Cell during these floods.

Ms. Sajida Mir (PPPP, W-336), Mr. Ajjasim Sharif ( PML-N, PP-140), Mr. Awais Qasim Khan (PML-N, PP-132), Ms. Joyce Rufin Julius (PML,W-370), Rana Muhammad Iqbal Khan (PML-N, PP-137), Dr. Asma Mamdoot (PML-F, W-363), Ms. Ayesha Javed (PML, W-355), Ms.Sakina Shaheen Khan (PML-N, W-321), Dr. Zamurad Yasmin Rana (PML-N, W-317), Mr. Mohsin Khan Leghari (PML, PP-245), Ms. Arifa Khalid (PML-N, W-305), Mr. Sher Ali Khan (PML, PP-17), Dr, Amna Buttar (PPPP, W-339),Rana Munawwar Hussain (PPPP, PP-36), Ch. Asghar Ali Manda (PML-N, PP-165), Rana Mashhood AhmadKhan, (PML-N, PP-149).