QUETTA: Anti-polio drive to be kicked-off in  all 33 Districts of Balochistan from Monday in which more than 2.5 million children would be administrated with anti-polio drops.

Addressing a news conference on Thursday Coordinator Polio Emergency Operation Centre Rashid Razzaq has said, all preparation have been completed for upcoming anti-polio drive in 33 Districts of Balochistan urging religious scholars, parents and members of civil society to play their role in making the drive successful,

“A five days anti-polio drive to be kicked-off in high-risk districts Quetta, Pishin and Qilla Abdullah while in 30 districts of the province three days anti-polio campaign is going to be started from Monday December 10^th.” Coordinator Polio Emergency centre said.

More than 2.5 million children below the age of five would be administrated with anti-polio drops during the anti-polio drive in which 10256 teams have been participating.

Rashiq Razzaq said, 8829 mobile teams, 951 fixed points 576 transit teams have been participating in next anti-polio drive, “Tough we have been launching anti-polio campaigns every months in Balochistan but this drive is more significant as winter vacations has been started in Balochistan and they might carry polio virus in other cities.”

“Polio workers have been directed to focus on transit points and administer more children with anti-polio drops travelling to other cities.” He added.

Pakistan, Afghanistan and Nigeria remained the only three countries in the world where notorious polio virus still endemic and paralyzing children with lifetime disability. In 2018 total eight polio cases were reported in Pakistan while three news cases were surfaced in Balochistan Dukki District.

Urging parents to administer their children with polio drops coordinator emergency centre said, without joint efforts we can’t win the battle against polio virus therefore parents have more responsibilities to cooperate with polio workers.