Governor administers vaccine to inaugurate three-day campaign
Drive partially deferred in Dadu, Kamber-Shahdadkot districts
Pakistan and Afghanistan are the only countries in the world whose citizens are still suffering from polio. Vaccination drives are ongoing and the government is making a concentrated effort to eradicate the virus. PHOTO: AYSHA SALEEM/EXPRESS
KARACHI:
Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ebad Khan inaugurated on Monday the three-day polio campaign in the province by administering vaccine to a child at Hilal-e-Ahmer Hospital in Karachi.
Highlighting the importance of women health workers in eradicating polio, he said change [polio-free Pakistan] is around the corner. The governor said the ratio of refusal cases has reduced as parents who were earlier not ready to get their children vaccinated, now believe it is necessary to avoid permanent physical disability of their loved ones.
Missed children
Since the launch of the single-phase campaign in the city last month, health departments officials claim the drive has covered almost 70% missed children, including refusal and unavailable cases.
"Results of coverage of missed children are satisfactory," said provincial coordinator of the Emergency Operation Centre (EOC), Dr Muhammad Usman Chachar.
Security cover
Additional IG Police Mushtaque Mehar and Karachi commissioner Asif Haider Shah were at the EOC office on Monday to monitor the drive across the provincial capital.
The health department suffered from a lack of security last year but the recent drive has seen complete cooperation from the Sindh police. Speaking to The Express Tribune, Chachar said, "Polio workers are provided complete security now." He added that except a few minor issues in different areas, the drive was launched timely across the city.
The campaign was also launched in 20 other districts of the province, however, EOC officials unsatisfied with preparations in Kambar-Shahdadkot and Dadu districts. They said the drive was partially deferred in different areas of both districts due to various issues.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 16th, 2016.
Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ebad Khan inaugurated on Monday the three-day polio campaign in the province by administering vaccine to a child at Hilal-e-Ahmer Hospital in Karachi.
Highlighting the importance of women health workers in eradicating polio, he said change [polio-free Pakistan] is around the corner. The governor said the ratio of refusal cases has reduced as parents who were earlier not ready to get their children vaccinated, now believe it is necessary to avoid permanent physical disability of their loved ones.
Missed children
Since the launch of the single-phase campaign in the city last month, health departments officials claim the drive has covered almost 70% missed children, including refusal and unavailable cases.
"Results of coverage of missed children are satisfactory," said provincial coordinator of the Emergency Operation Centre (EOC), Dr Muhammad Usman Chachar.
Security cover
Additional IG Police Mushtaque Mehar and Karachi commissioner Asif Haider Shah were at the EOC office on Monday to monitor the drive across the provincial capital.
The health department suffered from a lack of security last year but the recent drive has seen complete cooperation from the Sindh police. Speaking to The Express Tribune, Chachar said, "Polio workers are provided complete security now." He added that except a few minor issues in different areas, the drive was launched timely across the city.
The campaign was also launched in 20 other districts of the province, however, EOC officials unsatisfied with preparations in Kambar-Shahdadkot and Dadu districts. They said the drive was partially deferred in different areas of both districts due to various issues.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 16th, 2016.