Drive-ThroughCovid 19 Mass Vaccination Center Launched at KMU

Press Release Peshawar September30, 2021
Drive-ThroughCovid 19 Mass Vaccination Center Launched at KMU

SpecialAssistant to the Chief Minister for Higher Education and Information KamranBangash said that Khyber Medical University (KMU) is the only and unique university in the province which is playing an active role in providingknowledge and research as well as medical services to society.  He was speaking as chief guest to theinauguration of the Drive-Through Covid 19 Mass Vaccination Center at KMU.Among others, Dr. Palitha Mahi Pala, Country Director, WHO, Prof. Dr. Zia ul Haqvice-chancellor, Prof. Dr. Muhammad Saleem Gandapur, Registrar, Dr. KhalidRehman, Coordinator Vaccination Center, andDr. Yasir Yousafzai, Director, PHRL were also present on the occasion.  Kamran Bangash said it was a testament to thevision and leadership of Prime Minister Imran Khan and Chief Minister MehmoodKhan that according to the World Health Organization, Pakistan is amongst one of the seven countrieswith the lowest number of casualties in the first, second, third and fourth wave of Corona. He said that as a result of more than 50% vaccination in most of the districts of the province, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has overtaken the rest of the provinces of the country due to which the death rate from Corona has been steadily declining. He said that we are not only proud of the excellent example that KMU has now set for mass vaccination services after PHRL Lab but it isalso a role model for other universities.Responding to a media query, Kamran Bangash saidthat 1173 people have been affected by dengue in the province so far while theworst affected districts include Peshawar, Khyber, Buner, and Nowshera. He saidthat a three-point strategy on dengue has been formulated in a high-levelmeeting chaired by the Chief Minister today. The first point is to launch amassive publicity campaign for the prevention of dengue. A task force has beenset up under the chairmanship of the Chief Secretary to take practical stepsfor the prevention of dengue. Under the third point, construction anddevelopment of drainage and streets in dengue-affected areas will be completedon an emergency basis.Earlier, WHO Country Director Dr. PalithaMahipala, while addressing the event, said that Pakistan is one of the seven countries where Corona has suffered the leastnumber of casualties due to adherence to WHO guidelines. He said that onemillion people are being vaccinated daily in Pakistan which is a testament tothe success of the vaccination campaign and it is expected that as a resultPakistan will soon be included in the list of safe countries from Corona. Hesaid that the way in which the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government and KMU are takingjoint action against Corona has yielded excellent results. He said that he waspersonally impressed by the efforts of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government, thehealth department, and especially the KMU in dealing with Corona andcongratulated them on their success. It is worth mentioning that an average of 3,000 to 4,000 people are vaccinated daily at the Mass Vaccination Center in KMU where separate booths have been set up for men, women and the disabled, and the elderly. While the creation of five new drive-through booths will increase the total number of vaccinations, it will also vaccinate the disabled and senior citizens inside their vehicles this will not only save time but also keep the elderly from the hassle of getting out of cars.