Over 350,000 to be immunised in FATA

LHWs to boycott vaccination campaigns till their former president is reinstated.

KHAR/ LANDIKOTAL/ TIMERGARA:

A polio campaign in Bajaur Agency plans to vaccinate 225,286 children, Agency Surgeon Dr Zakir Hussain told the media on Monday. A similar drive in Khyber Agency plans to administer the oral polio vaccine to 127,000 children.

According to Hussain, 1,600 polio workers escorted by security officials will participate. The agency surgeon said clerics, tribal elders and peace committee workers will also assist the health department to ensure participation of families.

In Khyber Agency, political agent Shahab Ali Shah shared each polio team will be accompanied by both khasadar and levies officials.

Reinstatement of sacked president

Lady health workers (LHW) in Lower Dir have decided to boycott all polio campaigns till former LHW K-P chairperson Saeeda Feroz is reinstated.

The decision was taken at a meeting attended by a large number of LHWs.

Feroz was sacked earlier by the provincial government over the workers’ boycott of health campaigns.

LHW Shabnam condemned the sacking of Feroz, adding the chairperson was victimised only because she raised a voice for their rights.

“We want her immediate reinstatement otherwise we will protest across the province,” said another LHW Rukhsana Mansoor. She demanded LHWs be regularised immediately otherwise they will start a sit-in outside the K-P Assembly.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 9^th, 2014.