First anti-polio drive of 2018 in Fata from today

F.P. Report

PESHAWAR: FATA has reported no polio case in 2017. First anti polio campaign of the year 2018 starts tomorrow morning with the zeal to help keep zero polio case status in FATA. The three dayanti polio vaccination will be conducted, under the supervision of agency surgeons and security provided by political agents, commissioners and law enforcementforces.

The anti-polio vaccination campaign will continue from January 15, 2018 to January 17, 2018, followed by catch up of missed children.

Total of 1025429children below the age of 5 years will be vaccinated with polio drops by 4365 teams: comprising 3980mobile teams, 285 fixed teams and 100 transit teams.

EOC Coordinator FATA Muhammad Zubair Khanadvised EOC FATA Team tofocus on both polio high risk settlements as well as high risk mobile population to ensure vaccination of all under five years’ old children in FATA.

EOC FATA Coordinator added “we should concentrate on vaccinating high risk mobile children moving to and from the polio reservoir areas andthe persistently missed children.”

Muhammad Zubair Khan said“we are close to eradicate polio in FATA. We have achieved the goal of keeping zero polio casestatus in FATA during 2017. Andwe have extraordinary opportunity to achieve our goal of polio eradication. Our immediate priority should be to meet all requirements needed to secure global certification.”

While appreciating the efforts of field staff he added “the front line workers have left no stone unturned to safeguard children from polio virus in FATA but this dedication is needed to be sustained with the same zeal and commitment till the attainment of ultimate goal of polio eradication.”

FATA is without polio case for the last 17 months. Last polio case in FATA was reported on July 27th, 2016.  Not a single case was reported during 2017 in FATA. So far in 2018 no polio case has been reported from FATA.