There will be over 98% polio coverage in the province: Balochistan DG Health

Dr Nasser Baloch says 12,473 children were administered polio drops during campaign from Nov 10 to Nov 13

QUETTA: Balochistan Director General Health Services Dr Naseer Baloch on Saturday said they had covered 81 per cent of the children among the 9,958 refusals in the latest anti-polio campaign in Quetta.

“There would be more than 98 per cent coverage across Balochistan as health workers are still working to ensure the administration of polio drops to every child,” Baloch said while addressing a news conference at Quetta Press Club.

Refuting media reports that more than 27,000 children had been missed in the last campaign, Dr Baloch said, “This fact is unauthentic and incorrect. Local media should show some responsibility.”

During the anti-polio drive held in Quetta from November 10 to November 13, at least 17,465 children were not present in their homes while families of 9,958 children refused to administer polio drops to their children.

The total target was 481,587 children in Quetta during the last campaign.

“The health department has taken the campaign seriously and will ensure more than 98 per cent coverage,” Dr Baloch asserted.

“Around 12,473 children were administered polio drops out of the 17,465 children who could not be vaccinated during the campaign from November 10 to 13 as they were not available,” DG Health told reporters

Baloch was accompanied by District Health Officer Quetta Ahmed Sher Satakzai and World Health Organisation’s representative Anwar Bugti.

At least 11 children were diagnosed with the crippling virus in Balochistan this year, with cases reported from Quetta, Pishin and Qila Abdullah.

“The poliovirus still exists in the environment which is why there are two or three anti-polio campaigns in a month,” Satakzai told reporters.

Responding to a question, he said that the first polio case in Balochistan was reported from Qila Abdullah in a family that had come from Karachi.

Quetta police has also increased the security of polio workers following threats to vaccinators.

Commenting on the troubled areas in Balochistan, DG Health said health workers are reaching to every child but there are some mountainous areas where health workers are facing hardship to administer polio drops.

“There would be more than 98 per cent coverage across Balochistan as health workers are still working to ensure the administration of polio drops to every child,” Baloch said while addressing a news conference at Quetta Press Club.

Refuting media reports that more than 27,000 children were not immunised during the last campaign, DG health services said, “This fact is unauthentic and incorrect. Local media should show some responsibility.”

During the anti-polio drive held in Quetta from November 10 to November 13, at least 17,465 children were not present at their homes while families of 9,958 children refused to administer polio drops to their children.

The total target was 4, 81,587 children in Quetta during the last campaign.

“The health department has taken the campaign seriously and will ensure more than 98 per cent coverage,” Baloch asserted.

“Around 12,473 children were administered polio drops while 17,465 children could not be vaccinated during the campaign from November 10 to 13 as they were not available,” DG Health told reporters

Baloch was accompanied by District Health Officer Quetta Ahmed Sher Satakzai and World Health Organisation’s Representative Anwar Bugti.

At least 11 children were reported with the crippling virus in Balochistan this year. The cases arised in Quetta, Pishin and Qila Abdullah.

“The poliovirus still exists in the environment which is why there are two or three anti-polio campaigns in a month,” Satakzai told reporters.

Responding to the question, he said that the first polio case in Balochistan was reported from Qila Abdullah in a family that had come from Karachi.

Quetta police also increased the security of polio workers following threats to vaccinators.

Commenting on the troubled areas in Balochistan, DG Health said health workers are reaching to every child but there are some mountainous areas where health workers are facing hardship to administer polio drops.