K-P CM launches second phase of polio drive

CM paid tribute to the security personnel and polio workers who lost their lives

PESHAWAR:

Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister, Ali Amin Khan Gandapur, took a significant step on Sunday by launching the second phase of the anti-polio vaccination drive in the province. The ceremony, held at the Chief Minister House in Peshawar, marked the official commencement of the campaign, with Gandapur himself administering anti-polio drops to children in attendance.

The second phase of the vaccination drive began on March 3 and will run until March 7, covering Peshawar, Mardan, Kohat, Bannu, and Dera Ismail Khan Divisions, excluding Dera Ismail Khan and Lakki Marwat districts, which were already covered in the first phase. Additionally, immunization efforts in Malakand and Hazara divisions, disrupted by heavy rain and snowfall, are scheduled to resume on March 5 and continue until March 9, 2024.

During this campaign, a total of 7.4 million children will receive anti-polio drops across the province. To ensure the success and safety of the campaign, 35,000 anti-polio teams have been deployed, accompanied by approximately 55,000 security personnel to provide protection.

Addressing the gathering, Chief Minister Gandapur paid tribute to the security personnel and polio workers who lost their lives in previous anti-polio campaigns, hailing them as national heroes for their dedication to safeguarding the future of children. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to eradicating the polio virus from the province, emphasizing that this effort is a national cause requiring collaboration from all stakeholders.

Gandapur urged parents to prioritize their children’s health by ensuring they receive the polio vaccine and discouraged any boycott of the immunization campaign due to perceived deficiencies in facilities. He emphasized that providing basic amenities is the government’s responsibility, and steps will be taken to ensure their availability to the public.

Furthermore, the Chief Minister called upon religious scholars, media, and elected representatives to play a vital role in raising awareness about the importance of the anti-polio vaccine for securing the future of children.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 4^th, 2024.