The Punjab government has decided to utilize local bodies’ representatives for its Reach Every Door (RED) campaign to ensure that all citizens receive their COVID-19 jabs in the province.
This was the first time local government officials have been given an assignment after the Punjab government restored them through the Local Government Act 2013.
To launch the campaign regarding COVID-19 vaccination, the Punjab Primary and Secondary Healthcare Department (P&SHD) stated in a letter on Saturday that it had requested for the support of the local government to control spread of corona virus.
In its letter, available with MinuteMirror, P&SHD has requested to start the campaign at the union council (UC) level and for this purpose, local government officials have been asked to maintain close coordination between corporation officers of all municipal entities.
In this regard, all the union council secretaries and defence housing authorities’ (DHAs) staff will assist the UC representatives.
In its letter, the health department directed UC representatives to mobilize their field formations to collaborate with and aid health outreach teams in covering maximum possible population.
The letter added that the obligatory vaccination regime programme would began from October 25.
While praising the role of local body representatives, the health department has said that local government has always supported various immunization campaigns.
Moreover, all district commissioners in the province have been asked to provide a list of their requirements regarding the necessary logistical and operational support, especially in the preparation as well as implementation stage of the campaign.
According to the letter, all deputy commissioners (DCs) will personally ensure the success of the campaign in their respective districts.
The P&SHD has also assured DCs that the requisite funds would be transferred to the health councils of Basic Health Units, Regional Health Councils, Tehsil Headquarters Health and District Headquarters Health.
“Utilization of these funds may be expedited and support be provided to the respective health councils for requisite approvals at the district and tehsil level as per the health council guidelines,” the letter further stated.
