To ensure security of vaccinators, pillion riding has been banned in Haripur district under Section 144 till Wednesday. STOCK IMAGE
SWABI/ HARIPUR/ PESHAWAR:
Amid tight security, an immunisation drive will begin across the province from Monday (today) to vaccinate 5.3 million children against the crippling poliovirus.
According to health officials, the drive will be held in all districts and a total of 14,587 immunisation teams, including 1,627 fixed and 609 transit teams, will be administering polio drops to children under the age of five.
“Vaccinators will go door to door to give the oral drops,” a health official said, adding 3,359 area in charges will monitor the drive.
Haripur
To ensure security of vaccinators, pillion riding has been banned in Haripur district under Section 144 till Wednesday.
Officials of the District Health Office said 430 teams will administer polio drops to 0.13 million children. Moreover, the police have instructed mobile vaccination teams to immediately contact the police control room or the relevant police station in case of an emergency or a threat.
Security plan for Swabi
While chairing a meeting convened on Sunday to discuss the campaign, DC Matiullah Khan pledged to provide foolproof security to all teams participating in the drive.
DPO Sajjad Khan, Islahi Jirga (reconciliatory jirga) President Gul Mast Khan Advocate, General Secretary Faizul Hayat and several other policemen attended the meeting.
DC Khan further said additional policemen have been deployed in the district. Police teams will also accompany vaccinators as they visit localities, while motorcycle riding will be banned till Thursday.
“It is the responsibility of each and every person to ensure the campaign is a success and the crippling disease is eradicated from the country,” said Khan.
Members of the Islahi Jirga assured their complete support to the district administration in making the drive successful.
After the meeting, DPO Sajjad Khan directed officials of all police stations to hold meeting with the heads of reconciliatory jirgas and other elders in their respective areas. Swabi DSP Muhammad Fayyaz, DSP Circle Chota Lahor Izhar Shah, DSP Circle Razar and DSP Circle Topi later held the meetings.
The senior policemen asked elders to play their due role in ensuring every child is immunised in the district. They also assured proper security but asked for cooperation from locals, terming it necessary.
Seven polio cases have been reported from the country thus far; four from Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, two from the tribal areas and one from Sindh.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 16th, 2015.
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