Prime Minister’s Special Assistant on Health Affairs Ziauddin Hyder said on Sunday that forming an inquiry committee over the measles vaccination lapse is unnecessary, as the reasons behind the shortfall have already been identified.
“There was negligence here and we can say that without any doubt. Because of their negligence, the vaccine round scheduled for 2024-25 was completely missed. Yes, no vaccine procurement was carried out. Likewise, contraceptive products for family planning were not procured. There is no need for an investigation to establish this,” he told reporters responding to a question at a press briefing held at the Secretariat.
The briefing was arranged to share outcomes of his recent visit to Europe including participation in the 34th International Confederation of Midwives (ICM) Triennial Congress held in Lisbon, Portugal.
Ziauddin Hyder said the issue stemmed from shifting the programme from an operational plan (OP) to a Development Project Proposal (DPP).
“We know what happened. The programme was transferred from the operational plan to a DPP. At that time, it may have been assumed that the DPPs would be approved within one to one-and-a-half months and funds would become available. But in reality, many DPPs could not even be properly prepared within a year, let alone receive approval from ECNEC and establish project offices,” he said.
The regular flow of funds that had been available through the OP mechanism was halted before a new funding channel was put in place, creating a gap that the country is still dealing with, he added.
Ziauddin Hyder said the government is working intensively to address shortages of family planning products and other essential health supplies.
“Many family planning products are out of stock in different places. Our minister and all concerned are working to procure them as quickly as possible,” he said.
The health minister is currently visiting Copenhagen in Denmark to hold discussions with UNICEF’s Supply Division headquarters to expedite the procurement of essential products and address existing shortages.
“We are working day and night to ensure that these gaps are filled as quickly as possible,” said the PM’s special assistant.
