Participants Of 18th National Peaditric Conference Recommend Safe Water, Proper Sanitation

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Participants of 18th National Peaditric Conference recommend safe water, proper sanitation

Participants of the 18th National Pediatric Conference have strongly recommended necessary provision for safe water and proper sanitation facilities across the country so as to avert or at least contain the high incidence rate of infections causing serious health threats to children in particular and people in general

KARACHI, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 27th Nov, 2017 ) :Participants of the 18th National Pediatric Conference have strongly recommended necessary provision for safe water and proper sanitation facilities across the country so as to avert or at least contain the high incidence rate of infections causing serious health threats to children in particular and people in general.

Deliberating the challenges faced in the country with regard to child health, the participants also suggested reforms in the health policies with major focus on prevention through active involvement of all stake holders so as to ensure their meaningful implementation.

According to Pakistan Paediatricians Association, Sindh chapter, officials here Monday participants, on conclusion of the three day moot,urged the authorities to design and implement reforms that may improve health indicators in particular context of children and women health, as these were cited to be often inter connected.

Child specialists from across the country and expatriate experts from different parts of the world appreciative of achievements made recently in context of polio control suggested its replication for prevention and eradication of other vaccine preventable diseases so as to contain high incidence rate of mortality and morbidity among under five, 50% of whom comprise neo nates.

It was suggested that besides timely vaccination, offered free of cost under EPI, specifically against rota virus (causing diarrhea) and pneumonia, the two major killer diseases for local children, provision for safe drinking water as well as improved sanitary conditions must be ensured across the country without any distinction.

The experts said governments at varied levels, medical community, hospitals and professional bodies also need to play a catalyst role in bringing about a change in the public perception regarding importance of prevention be it their attitude towards hygiene and right choice in terms of food/feeding or mandatory vaccination of their children, so as to protect their kids against infections and associated complications.

"This is joint responsibility of ours to educate masses and win their confidence about interventions being offered for quality child survival under expanded program on immunization (EPI)," said Prof.

Syed Jamal Raza, President, PPA - Sindh. Governments, both Federal and provincial were particularly urged to take into confidence the health professionals and their relevant bodies in the process of policy formulation and its enforcement to not only develop realistic goals but also a pragmatic approach to achieve the same.