Elimination of neonatal tetanus by 2010

“Our efforts to reduce the burden of vaccine preventable diseases such as neonatal tetanus, measles and to promote child health will provide the basis for achieving other important health and development goals including the Millennium Development Goals” the Minister stated.
By improving immunization and intensifying efforts to reduce the burden of disease from neonatal tetanus, Pakistan stands an improved chance of achieving the MDGs he added. From this week, over 2600 field teams, including Lady Health Workers and other health workers will work to immunize nearly 3.4 million women of child bearing age in Lodhran, Pakpatan, Khanewal, Rajanpur, Muzaffargarh and Rahim Yar Khan districts of Punjab.
The two-week campaign will target women of child bearing age in health facilities, schools and outreach centers throughout these six districts. This campaign will be scaled up and held later on throughout the country in an effort to prevent newborn deaths.
To a question he said, Ministry of Health had approved 15 to 48 percent increase in medicines prices and the increase only apply on hardship cases.
The minister said the government realized the importance of the health sector and therefore a comprehensive health policy was being formulated to prioritize the areas that remained neglected during past. He further said the draft policy would be shared with the heath committees of Senate and National Assembly to seek their input on its various aspects.