Polio campaign: DI Khan prepares security plan for vaccinators

DPO says special police committee has been formed to provide security to immunisation teams.

DERA ISMAIL KHAN: DI Khan Deputy Commissioner (DC) Amir Khattak held a meeting on Tuesday to discuss plans for improving security arrangements during polio campaigns.

DC Khattak presided over the meeting held in his office. The meeting was attended by DPO Sohail Khalid, Expanded Programme for Immunisation Incharge Dr Arif Mehmood, Executive District Officer Health Dr Umar Shah and other officials. The participants were briefed on the upcoming polio campaigns, the security problems and the proposed security plans ahead of the campaign.

“We’ll speak to elders of areas where people are refusing to immunise their children,” said Khattak.

“An entire union council cannot be neglected just because one family refuses the vaccine. Every child must be immunised,” the DC said.

DPO Khalid said foolproof security will be provided to polio teams and other security issues will be addressed as well.  “Anyone trying to disrupt the process will be dealt with strictly,” he added.

The DPO further said DSPs with the collaboration of elders in their respective areas would look over the campaign while a special police committee has been formed to provide security to the vaccination teams.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 19^th, 2013.