LOC12:58
09:58 GMT
ISLAMABAD, July 17 (KUNA) -- The northern Pakistani province Khyber
Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) has become the first province of the country to get the
vaccines from United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF)
directly instead of getting it from the federal government.
According to officials, the province begins to receive vaccines directly
after the approval of 18th amendment by the parliament.
The officials further said that getting vaccines from the federal
government led to delay in receiving vaccines, therefore led to outbreaks of
vaccine-preventable childhood ailments killing many children in recent years.
KPK has become the first province to receive the quality vaccines under the
new arrangement to get prompt supply of the vaccine to overcome diseases'
prevalence. A health ministry official said, "We receive direct vaccine
consignment. We will be able to immunise all children and mothers. Previously,
the ministry of health procured the vaccine for the province."
World Health Organization approves the vaccines procured by the province
through UNICEF. Previously, the province due to the lengthy and costly
procedure followed by the federal government faced shortage of vaccines. (end)
sbk.
KUNA 171258 Jul 13NNNN