The Sindh cabinet has given its approval for a bill that seeks to make it a criminal offense to refuse vaccination for children against preventable diseases through vaccines in the entire province.
Alongside this crucial decision, the cabinet also discussed eight other health-related matters during the meeting held at the CM House, according to a report published in The News.
The meeting chaired by Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah was attended by provincial ministers, advisors, special assistants, and bureaucrats.
The proposed legislation, known as the Sindh Immunisation and Epidemic Control Act 2023, aims to combat epidemic diseases by ensuring widespread vaccination across the region, marking its primary objective.
According to the draft law, the responsibility lies with parents or guardians to bring children or unprotected individuals to vaccination centers promptly for appropriate immunization.
In the event of non-compliance with the law, the local authority will issue a notice to the parents or guardians of unprotected individuals. If the violation persists, the local authority will report the matter to a first-class magistrate, who will enforce the punishment as per the provisions of the law.
The bill has been approved by the cabinet and will now be forwarded to the provincial assembly for further consideration.
