Pakistan receives solar refrigerators to better store polio vaccines

From Pakistan Times:

PESHAWAR, Pakistan -- Speaker, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly Kiramatullah Khan has said that donor agencies has provided solar refrigerators for the storage of polio vaccines to maintain its effectiveness.

Addressing an inaugural function held for launching of a special national campaign against polio in 13 districts of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, he said that at least one refrigerator would be install in each district. The function was also attended by former federal minister Hameedullah Jan Afridi, Abdul Jalil Jan (JUI-F), Hafiz Hashmat Khan (J.I), Zahid Hussein (PTI) and Jan Baz Afridi, Deputy Director EPI.

The speaker said that heavy power load shedding and lacking of property storage facilities are affecting the effectiveness of the vaccines. He said that the utilization of the solar energy is need of the hour. He said that solar is natural energy and due to environment it could be utilized better in our country.

He said that the department of health in collaboration with donor agencies had succeeded in the arresting of the disease. However, unfortunately, some cases were once again registered that also particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and tribal region. He said that before the polio eradication initiative, the department of health had eliminated small pox and measles.

The speaker said that the presence of the large number of Afghan refugees and inaccessibility to some areas are some root causes of polio disease in the province.

He said that he has opened the doors of the provincial assembly for the people of the province. However, he said that some restrictions on the visitors imposed in consultation with parliamentary leaders of the political parties that also only whenever the session of the house is in progress. The speaker said the assembly secretariat is welcoming the students of schools and colleges to the assembly.