Punjab CM gives nod to anti-polio task force

Vaccination campaign will be launched from May 13

LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar on Thursday gave approval for setting up a special anti-polio task force for eradicating the disease from the country.

The meeting, held with the chief minister in the chair at his office, decided to take more measures against the disease. A proposal was discussed that only those children should be given admissions to schools who have immunisation cards.



The special anti-polio campaign would be launched from May 13 in the high-risk union councils whereas a comprehensive anti-polio campaign would also be started from next month across the province.

Speaking on the occasion, the CM expressed his concerns over the detection of a polio case in the city. He said health and other line departments would have to discharge their duties in a professional manner and work jointly to cope with the situation. “No leniency and negligence will be tolerated in the measures taken for eradication of polio,” he warned.

He said every child should be vaccinated and a comprehensive campaign should be launched for creating awareness about the measures taken for curbing polio and every medium should be used in this regard.



"We will have to safeguard our future from the crippling disease polio," he said adding, no stone would be left unturned for making Pakistan a polio-free country. He said that the plan evolved for curbing polio should be strictly implemented. Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Health Dr Zafar Mirza, provincial ministers Dr Yasmin Rashid, Yasir Humayun, Dr Murad Raas, Punjab chief secretary, federal secretary for health, secretaries of departments concerned, commissioner Lahore and senior officers were present on the occasion.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 10^th, 2019.