Anti-polio drive kicks off in Rawalpindi

RAWALPINDI:

A seven-day anti-polio campaign aiming to immunize 1.038 million children in Rawalpindi began on Monday and will continue until February 9.

The campaign was inaugurated at the Kot Kalan Healthcare Centre by Dr Ayesha Raza Farooq, the Prime Minister's focal person for the polio eradication programme.

She administered polio drops to children and met frontline workers, commending their efforts in the national cause.

Dr Farooq emphasised that Pakistan will be made polio-free through such initiatives. She praised the dedication of frontline health workers, stating that their role is crucial in protecting the country's children from the crippling disease.

District Health Authority Chief Executive Officer Dr Asif Arbab Niazi briefed Dr Farooq on the campaign, explaining that vaccination teams are operating through fixed centres, transit points, and mobile units.

He highlighted the special focus on vaccinating children arriving from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, and other cities of Punjab to ensure comprehensive coverage.

Parents have been urged to cooperate with polio teams and ensure their children receive the vaccine, as part of a broader awareness initiative.