AsiaNet-Pakistan Premier Editorial Content and Press Release Distribution Service
Peshawar, Health Minister Syed Qasim Ali Shah was the chief guest at the 50th anniversary celebration of the Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI), where he honored the legacy of the program’s founder and launched the World Immunization Week.
According to Directorate General Information and PRs – Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, during the event, Minister Shah paid tribute to the late Professor Ashfaq Ahmed, a pivotal figure in Pakistani pediatric care and the founder of EPI. The minister also recognized current EPI contributors by distributing honorary shields to “EPI champions,” acknowledging their ongoing commitment to public health.
Highlighting the technological advancements within the EPI, Minister Shah announced the full digitization of the program and detailed efforts to enhance the vaccine cold chain system to maintain vaccine efficacy and safety. He stressed personal accountability in achieving public health goals, emphasizing the importance of performance and teamwork in his department.
In his remarks, Minister Shah also reflected on broader health initiatives, comparing government efforts to those of Imran Khan in establishing cancer treatment facilities, underscoring the significance of vision and determination in public service. Additionally, he touched on the benefits of the health card system, which provides free critical health services such as bypass surgeries, dialysis, and angiography—services he noted as unparalleled globally.
The celebration also marked the beginning of World Immunization Week, observed from April 24 to 30, featuring a special vaccination campaign targeting twelve vaccine-preventable diseases.