Vaccination is the Right of Every Child 

"The 130 million children born each year, some 30 million do not have access to immunisation and two million die worldwide of vaccine-preventable illnesses," said Dr. Gaffar Billoo, Consultant Pediatrician and Professor at Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH), while giving a presentation on "Recent Advances in Children's Immunization Programmes" at 'Signs, Symptoms and Care', a health awareness seminar held on April 30, in Hyderabad.

Audience at a presentation of a presentation on "Recent Advances in Children's Immunization Programmes" at 'Signs, Symptoms and Care', a health awareness seminar held on April 30, in Hyderabad.

Since 1980, significant progress in immunisation has been vital in reducing the mortality rate in children. Launched by the World Health Assembly in 1974 the Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI), has saved three million lives and 750,000 children from disability. The fact remains, however, that one child in four is still not protected against measles, polio, pertussis, diphtheria, tetanus and tuberculosis. According to Dr. Billoo, Hepatitis-B and Haemophilus immunization is now also available. 

Dr. Gaffar Billoo, Consultant Paediatrician and Professor at Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH) giving a presentation on children's immunization programmes at 'Signs, Symptoms and Care', a health awareness seminar.

Dr. Billoo who is the leading Pediatricians in Pakistan, pointed out that vaccine research and development will allow greater focus on disease priorities, help create synergies in the application of new technologies and cut the cost of resource development. Immunization, he said is the most cost effective of health intervention. For instance, if Polio is eradicated by 2005, Rs. 86 billion per annum will be saved worldwide on immunisation. By reducing the social and financial costs of disease treatment, immunization offers opportunities for poverty reduction and greater socio-economic development.

Dr Billoo also outlined the objectives of the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI) an international coalition of national governments and international and philanthropic organizations including United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), World Health Organization (WHO) and the World Bank. GAVI, he said, aims to reverse the decline in vaccination coverage, increase vaccination-related research and development in developing countries, and revitalise the global commitment to immunisation at national, regional and international levels.

Dr. Billoo concluded that vaccination is the essential right of every child irrespective of origin and socio-economic constraints. The programme was followed by a question- and -answer session.

AKUH provides high quality services to all segments of the population with over 70 per cent of patients coming from low and middle-income areas. Since the inception of the Hospital's Patient Welfare Programme in 1986, Rs. 1.05 billion has been spent on over 2,03,000 needy patients. In addition, 'The Patients Behbud Society for AKUH' receives zakat contributions and disburses it to needy patients or 'mustahaqeen'.