3-day polio campaign to kick off in 12 districts of Balochistan today
- April 24, 2016, 10:35 pm
- Breaking News
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QUETTA Apr 24 (PPI): Three days anti-polio campaign begins Monday in 12 districts of Balochistan including the high-risk areas. One point three (1.3) million children below the age of five would be vaccinated against crippling polio virus during three days anti-polio campaign that is set to commence today.
This was stated by Coordinator Emergency Operation Center (EOC) Balochistan Dr Saifur Rehman here Sunday. He said in pursuit of the war against polio virus, three days anti-polio campaign begin today (on Monday) in 12 districts of the province including the high-risk areas, “395 fixed and 210 transit points had been established where 3619 polio workers will perform their duties to vaccinate more than 1.3 million children across Balochistan,†he added.
Dr Saifur Rehman added, for curbing the transmission of polio virus at transit points, they had been focusing on Pak-Afghan friendship gate where children under the age of 10 years would be administrated with polio vaccine.
Talking about the security arrangements during the campaign, in-charge emergency operation center said that strict security measure have been taken to prevent any incident, “Frontier Corps and Pakistan Army would be deployed in sensitive areas of the province during anti-polio drive,’ he added.
It is here to be mentioned that, seven police men guarding polio workers were gunned down in Karachi three days back during an anti-polio drive.
Citing the by-polls in District Jhal Magsi Dr. Saifur Rehman said, anti-polio campaign in Jhal Magsi will start on May 3rd because of the by election of National Assembly seat where 31 thousands children would be vaccinated against polio virus.
In Qilla Saifullah, Qilla Abdullah, Naseerabad, Jaffarabad, Pishin, Loralai, Dera Bugti, Pishin, Lasbela, Sherani, Quetta, Zhob and other parts of the province the polio drive would be commenced as per announced dates.
Talking about the IPV program Dr, Saif added, the IPV program remained successful across the province particularly in high-risk districts where more than 2, 40,000 children had been injected against the crippling polio virus.
He urged the media and religious scholars to play their vital role and encourage parents to administrate their children with polio drops.
UNICEF’s polio team leader Dr. Jawahir Habib said, struggle against polio virus will continue unless the diseases is completely wiped-out from the province,
“Emergence of only single polio case in the province during the incumbent year proves that, Balochistan is moving ahead against polio battle,†she added.
