3-day anti polio campaign prepared in Balochistan
3-day anti polio campaign prepared in Balochistan
Saadullah Akhtar
Balochistan

QUETTA: Coordinator Emergency Center Balochistan Syed Faisal Ahmed said, all preparations have been completed for the coming three days Anti-Polio drive across Balochistan.

QUETTA: Coordinator Emergency Center Balochistan Syed Faisal Ahmed said, all preparations have been completed for the coming three days Anti-Polio drive across Balochistan.

Marking the World Polio Day, the Provincial and Government and Emergency Center Balochistan would commence three days Anti-Polio campaign in Balochistan, in which more than 1.6 million children less than five years would be administered with polio drops.

“All preparations have been made regarding the Anti-Polio campaign,  6040 teams would be deployed to administer anti-polio drops among children under the age of five,” Syed Faisal told newsmen.

At least 5378 Mobile teams, 415 fixed sites and 247 transit points have been established across Balochistan to make sure that all children are given polio drops.

“We have adopted strict security to prevent any unpredictable situation, Frontier Corps (FC), Police and Levies force would be deployed to protect the polio workers,” Syed Faisal said and added religious scholars are also taking part to persuade the parents who normally refuse to administer the polio drops.

The Emergency Centre had launched a massive campaign among the more conservative people in Balochistan against the misleading information against the anti-polio drops. The campaign of anti-social elements and vested interests had been countered effectively in Balochistan by associating the leading Ulema and scholars with the anti-polio campaign.

In recent year total 15 new polio cases were reported in Pakistan while Balochistan has emerged with only one polio case last February.

The three days Anti-Polio drive will commence in Qilla Saifullah, Qilla Abdullah, Naseerabad, Jaffarabad, Pishin, Loralai, Dera Bugti, Quetta, Zhob, Sherani and other high risk districts, Syed Faisal announced.

“On the coming World Polio Day, we all have to vow to intensify fight against Polio and all parents, civil society, politicians and religious scholars should come forward against the crippling disease.” Syed Faisal Ahmed urged.

Talking on sewage samples taken from Qilla Abdullah, Pishin and Quetta he said, recently the sewage samples come up with positive results that indicated still polio threat reeling on our children.

“We have achieved major goals in combating polio disease but still we have to strive more to declare Pakistan a Polio-free country,” Syed Faisal concluded.