Nationwide anti-polio drive commences

PM’s focal person urges parents to get children immunised

ISLAMABAD: A four-day countrywide polio immunisation drive started on Monday during which over 38 million children under five years of age will be administered anti-polio drops.

Around 270,000 Sehat Muhafiz are taking part in the door-to-door drive to administer anti-polio drops to children in different parts of the country.

Prime Minister’s Focal Person on Polio Babar Bin Atta said reaching and vaccinating every child is not an easy task but the government is committed to ensure no child suffers from this disease. He invited every citizen to come forward and play role for success of polio immunisation drive making Pakistan free from polio virus.

“Pakistan cannot afford to have further new polio cases as the virus still exists only here and Afghanistan,” he said adding the government is working on a plan with joint strategy to stop polio virus."

Atta also appealed the parents to immunise their children every round of the campaign of the vaccine is safe, efficacious, and approved.

He also asked campaign officers to ensure every child gets two drops of polio vaccine during the drive and that no single child is left. He added besides going door-to-door, the health workers will also immunise children at major crossings, bus stops, hospitals, stations and other fixed points.

"With only eight polio cases reported in 2018, Pakistan stands its best chance of getting rid of the crippling virus forever. Every Pakistani must now assume the role of a Sehat Muhafiz to ensure vaccination of all children during every campaign", said PM's Focal Person.

However, he said more efforts are required to control the virus as its presence in sewage water was confirmed in November in Karachi and Sukkur in Sindh, Peshawar and Mardan in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Lahore and Rawalpindi in Punjab, and the Federal Capital Islamabad.

Meanwhile, National Coordinator for Emergency Operation Centre (EOC) Dr Rana Safdar said with vital on-the-ground experience in some of the most challenging settings, Sehat Muhafiz is determined to ensure vaccination of every child.

"Our front line workers have built strong rapport in their respective communities for polio eradication. They understand the dynamics of the population, even as they relate to children, not only at the district level but also at the union council and village level."