Vaccines Given To GB At Risk

1 min read

GILGIT: The quality of vaccines provided by the Unicef to the Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) Health Department has been at risk since the dedicated power line for the Provincial EPI (Expanded Program on Immunization) store was disconnected two years ago.

The situation has been worsened by load-shedding and non-utilization of essential equipment donated by the WHO and the Unicef. This alarming issue was highlighted by WHO representative in GB Abdullah Durrani during a meeting chaired by Chief Secretary Abrar Mirza, in Gilgit. The meeting was attended by Health Secretary Asif Ullah Khan, DG Health and others. Durrani explained that the Provincial EPI store, which houses all vaccines for GB, requires an uninterrupted power supply to maintain a temperature between 2 to 8 degrees Celsius.

However, since the power line was disconnected two years ago, the ability to store vaccines safely could be compromised. To address the issue, he noted, the Unicef had provided a 75 kVA generator, while the WHO and the Unicef had also donated refrigerated vehicles for vaccine transportation.

However, due to a lack of government funds for fuel, these vehicles have been left unused and have been deteriorating for the past three years. “With no operational refrigerated vehicles, vaccines are currently being transported via taxis and motorbikes, further endangering their quality,” he added. The revelations came after Abrar Mirza expressed dissatisfaction with the performance of Health Department teams in Diamer and Astore districts.

“This is unacceptable. You need to improve your performance because this concerns human lives,” he remarked. Following the briefing, Mirza directed Asif Ullah Khan to extend support to the districts concerned to ensure effective vaccine storage and distribution.

Published in News Daily on 14-March-2025.

Previous Story

Punjab School Meal Programme Helps Reduce Malnutrition

Next Story

Kidnapped Teenager Rescued In Joint Operation, Three Abductors Held

Latest from Blog

Climate Change Support Surges to 34pc in Pakistan: World Bank Survey

ISLAMABAD: Climate change along with water and sanitation have become higher priorities in Pakistan, while perceptions of the World Bank Group’s support have declined in key sectors, according to the results of ‘Pakistan Country Opinion Survey for Pakistan’, commissioned by the World Bank. The survey found that support for climate change…

Kidnapper Turns Out to be Victim during Investigation

OKARA: Police claimed to have solved a kidnapping case in which the alleged kidnapper was found to be the victim and vice versa. As per details, around two weeks ago a private tuition centre’s in-charge Ayesha Bibi and a 13-year old student named Ahsan went missing. Ayesha’s family got a…

Two Booked for Sexual Assault on Boy

The A-Section police of Dadu booked two suspects for allegedly subjecting a toddler to sexual assault in a dwelling inhabited by nomad families. The boy, aged three/four years, was shifted to a hospital for medical examination and treatment. Dadu SSP retired Captain Amir Saud Magsi assigned an inquiry into the…

Drivers of Forced Conversion through Marriage in Pakistan

The report examines Forced Conversion through Marriage (FCM) in Pakistan, revealing how minor girls and women from Religious Minority Communities face coercion rooted in patriarchy, discrimination, and weak legal enforcement. It highlights the blurred lines between force and consent, showing how psychological, social, and economic pressures drive manipulation. The findings…
Go toTop