Nationwide polio drive inaugurated in KP

F.P. Report

PESHAWAR: Advisor to Caretaker Chief Minister for Health, Dr. Riaz Anwar renewed government’s commitment for stamping out the crippling virus of polio from the region at the outset of the new year saying that despite competing priorities and challenges the government will continue its course with reinvigorated spirit for delivering its promise on ensuring healthier and safer future for the children of the country.

He expressed these views while inaugurating the first National Immunization Days (NID) of the year at the provincial level here at Police Services Hospital Peshawar on Friday. The inauguration ceremony was also attended by Deputy Coordinator Emergency Operation Center Muhammad Zeeshan Khan, Dr. Syed Bawar Shah, President Pakistan Pediatric Association KP, Dr Sarfaraz Khan team leader WHO KP and other relevant officials.

While talking to media he emphasized the government’s commitment for achieving the complete eradication of the poliovirus across all segments of society. Dr. Anwar stated that despite the hard-weather challenges, polio teams are dedicated to reach every household with eligible children to ensure their vaccination in every campaign.
He further highlighted that comprehensive preparations for the five-day polio eradication campaign, consisting of two phases, have been completed at the Provincial Emergency Operations Center. Starting from January 8, this campaign aims to administer polio drops to all children up to the age of five. Dr. Anwar stressed the importance of collaboration from parents and other community members to eliminate this infectious disease.

Providing details about the campaign, Dr. Riaz Anwar informed that Lakki Marwat, South Waziristan Upper, and Lower will initiate the polio eradication campaign from January 15. Deputy Coordinator of the Emergency Operations Center, Zeeshan Khan, shared campaign details with the media, stating that over 7.4 million children in the province will receive anti polio drops during this initiative.

“To ensure the success of the campaign, a total of 31,505 trained polio workers have been organized into teams, including 28,049 mobile teams, 1,964 fixed teams, 1,321 transit teams, and 171 roaming teams. Additionally, 7,151 area in-charges have also been appointed for effective monitoring of the camaign” he added. For the security of the polio teams during the campaign, approximately 50,000 personnels have been deployed, Zeeshan Khan concluded.