Minister of Interior, Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed along with WHO Regional Director for Eastern Mediterranean, Dr. Ahmed Al-Mandhari inaugurated the G-9 medical center of Directorate of Health Services MCI for the establishment of Model Covid-19 vaccination center with the support of the World Health Organization. Administrator, MCI, Syeda Shafaq Hashmi, Country Representative, WHO, Dr. Palitha Mahipala, D.G. Health Services, Dr. Urooj, Deputy DG, MCI, Mian Tariq Latif, and representatives from Media, WHO, M/o Interior, and DHS were also present of the occasion.
The Minister of Interior, Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed visited the entire facility. He informed that the whole world is passing through the most fatal pandemic in the form of COVID-19. Countries affected include the USA, India, Brazil, France, Turkey, Russia, UK, Italy, Argentina, Germany, Spain, etc. Pakistan which was deemed week to face the pandemic has been successful on account of the best practices shown from top to bottom especially by health care workers. He appreciated the leadership of Prime Minister of Pakistan, who led the nation successfully in the time of crisis. In Islamabad sectoral areas, the last peak in June showed in March 2021 but now by the grace of Allah, cases have regressed per day. The Minister showed his gratitude to all the guests present at the occasion especially the esteemed UN organization – WHO – a time-tested public health friend for supporting the Directorate of Health Services, MCI in upgrading the Vaccination Center.
WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean, Dr. Ahmed Al-Mandhari expressed his satisfaction with the up-gradation of the vaccination center and vowed to continue WHO’s support in other areas of healthcare as well. WHO has already granted support to DHS in order to strengthen program management, surveillance, and monitoring activities and shall further enhance the cooperation.
The Administrator MCI Syeda Shafaq Hashmi while giving the message of Chairman CDA, Mr. Amer Ali Ahmed informed that the Directorate of Health Services is one of the core formations of MCI/ CDA, performing the most vital functions in saving lives of the people of Islamabad. She thanked WHO that has offered and upgraded the G-9 Vaccination Centre which is one of the busiest centers in Islamabad and has already been graded at the optimum level of patients’ satisfaction.
DG Health, MCI Dr. Urooj showed his pleasure to announce that with the support of WHO, DHS has been successful to register Islamabad in the “International Healthy City Network”. He also appreciated WHO’s vital support to develop a model and a comprehensive health care program for the citizens of Islamabad.