Provincial Minister for Health Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Khaleeq ur Rehman, today inaugurated the Influenza and Meningitis Vaccination Centre at the Federal Civil Surgeon Hospital, aimed at facilitating citizens requiring mandatory vaccinations, particularly those travelling abroad.
During his visit, the Provincial Health Minister inspected the newly established vaccination centre and reviewed the facilities and arrangements being provided to the public. He was briefed about the vaccination process and the services available for people travelling abroad.
Speaking to the media after the visit, Minister Khaleeq ur Rehman said that **after October 15, relevant vaccinations will be mandatory for people travelling abroad, particularly pilgrims travelling to Saudi Arabia for Hajj and Umrah and workers travelling to Saudi Arabia for employment purposes.
He said that the establishment of the vaccination centre would provide an important facility to citizens who need to fulfil mandatory health and vaccination requirements before travelling abroad. He added that the availability of vaccination services at a designated centre would help make the process more convenient, organized and accessible for the public.
The Provincial Health Minister further said that the government is committed to ensuring that citizens do not face unnecessary difficulties in accessing essential vaccination services. Insha’Allah, vaccination services will also be expanded to the divisional level by establishing vaccination centres in different divisions of the province, enabling people to access these services closer to their homes and reducing the need to travel to Peshawar.
Khaleeq ur Rehman emphasized the importance of strengthening preventive healthcare and ensuring timely vaccination, particularly for individuals travelling to countries where specific vaccination requirements are in place. He directed the concerned authorities to ensure that citizens visiting the centre receive proper guidance, efficient services and all necessary information regarding vaccination requirements for international travel.
He said that effective coordination between the Health Department and relevant federal and airport health authorities would further improve vaccination services and facilitate travellers. The government, he added, would continue taking practical measures to expand access to preventive healthcare services across the province.
The Minister said that the expansion of vaccination facilities at the divisional level would be an important step towards making essential healthcare services more accessible to the people. He reiterated that the government would continue working to strengthen public health services, disease prevention and healthcare facilities across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
On the occasion, Dr. Murtaza, Director Border Health Services Pakistan; Dr. Fareezuddin, Airport Health Officer, Bacha Khan International Airport; and Mr. Zia, Airport Manager/Chief Operating Officer, Bacha Khan International Airport, were also present. The relevant officials briefed the Provincial Health Minister on the arrangements, facilities and vaccination services being provided at the centre.