Validating data: Polio campaigns to begin in 13 high-risk districts

Peshawar, Nowshera, Charsadda among these areas

PESHAWAR: The health department has not only validated existing data about children below the age of five but has also prepared to launch polio campaigns in 13 high-risk districts across the province.

Officials of the health department and community health workers were assigned to enlist all houses that had children below the age of five so that not a single child would be missed during polio campaigns.

Officials privy to the development told The Express Tribune a meeting was held in the provincial capital where the department requested parents and people to cooperate with community health workers visiting the areas.

They said if parents and community elders assisted the process, the exact number of children in each union council could easily be determined. They added this would ensure every child is inoculated.

An official requesting anonymity said the country was getting closer to achieving its target of eradicating polio through exemplary coordination and collaboration of federal and provincial governments at political and administrative levels.

A three-day polio drive will be initiated in 13 high-risk districts –Peshawar, Nowshera, Charsadda, Mardan, Swabi, Swat, Bannu, Tank, Lakki Marwat, DI Khan, Hangu, Karak and Kohat. According to K-P Emergency Operation Centre (EOC), around 3.64 million children will be targeted during the campaigns for which 12,059 teams, including 10,438 mobile, 921 fixed, 592 transit and 108 roaming have been finalised.

The official quoted EOC Coordinator Akbar Khan as saying that every possible effort was being made to vaccinate all children.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 25^th, 2016.