ISLAMABAD: The of National Health Services (NHS) ministry welcomed a report by Pakistan Institute of Legislative Development and Transparency (Pildat) that found a 77pc public approval rating for the government`s immunisation services, despite low ratings for most other governance indicators and the prime minister`s performance.

In an official statement, the ministry reiterated its commitment to working with provinces and other stakeholders to strengthen the country`s immunisation programme, which provides free vaccinations to all children and pregnant women againstnine diseases.

The statement said provinces` performances with regards to children`s immunisation was rated 85pc in Punjab, 73pc in Balochistan, 69pc in Sindh and 61pc in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Pildat`s report on a nationwide public opinion poll on the quality of governance and democracy was released on Oct25,forthe thirdyear in the federal and provincial government s` current term from June 2015 to May 2016.

According to the poll, 41pc people rated the prime minister`s performance negatively, a sharp 15pc rise from 2015, when 26pc of people rated his performance negatively.

The statement said the federal government`s governance performance had been positively evaluated in the area of immunisation services in a nationwide poll.

The 77pc rating reflects a significant improvement, a result of stringent monitoring by the federal government, an uninterrupted supply of vaccines and logistics and the introduction of a world class ISO-certified vaccine management system by the ministry.

The NHS ministry`s statement added that a major reform agenda had been initiated over the last three years, including the launch of the national health vision, the introduction of a drug pricing policy, the revamping of the country`s drug regulatory authority, the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council, the Pakistan Pharmacy Council and the Pakistan Nursing Council.

The ministry also claimed itsperformancehadimproved in other sectors such as improved detection and free treatment for tuberculosis, malaria and Aids, provision of hepatitis C medication at low price and the establishment of BSL-III laboratories at NIH.-A Reporter