Polio job ‘almost done but not finished’

Senator Ayesha Raza Farooq urges highest quality of inoculation drives

QUETTA: Prime Minister’s Focal Person for Polio Eradication Senator Ayesha Raza Farooq, while lauding the role of the district administration for its efforts, has urged the authorities to ensure the highest quality of polio campaigns through coordinated monitoring, supervision and leadership during the upcoming round of polio campaign starting from April 17.

The senator also commended the work done by the front line health workers at the border crossing with Afghanistan and hoped that everyone coming and going through the international border will be inoculated and recorded. “Our job is almost done but not finished, therefore there is no room for complacency,” urged Farooq.



The senator made these remarks while attending a high-level meeting held at the Chief Secretary’s Office with Balochistan’s Chief Secretary Shoaib Mir in the chair. Emergency Operation Centre’s National Coordinator Dr Rana Safdar, Provincial EOC Coordinator Syed Faisal Ahmed, Provincial Secretary Health Asmatullah Kakar, Commissioner Quetta Division Amjid Ali Khan, Deputy Commissioners, DHOs and high police officials attended the meeting.

The Chief Secretary, during the meeting, reaffirmed his stance that Balochistan will be made polio free with the help of dedicated team members and effective administrative support. He said. “Our teams have shown exemplary resolve and commitment in the past and will ensure that they will reach every child across the province.”



Meanwhile, Balochistan Chief Minister Sanaullah Zehri reiterated that no hurdles would be tolerated in ensuring Balochistan becomes polio free.

“We can’t afford to put the future of our children at stake at any cost and accountability of concerned officials would be made who show indolence and laziness,” he warned.

The chief minister was talking to Prime Minister’s Focal Person for Polio Eradication Senator Ayesha Raza Farooq who called on him on Thursday.



Admiring the efforts of the provincial government, particularly the efforts of Chief Minister for paying serious attention and taking concrete steps for eradication of polio from the province, she noted: “Efforts made by Balochistan government for the elimination of polio virus are being recognised by concerned international organizations and since last one year no case of polio virus has surfaced in the province.”

The chief minister told the Senator that the incumbent government was taking every important issue seriously.