A massive polio eradication plan has been finalised for Balochistan, where the highest number of polio cases in Pakistan and elsewhere in the world were recorded during the year 2011. Some 70 per cent of the cases were reported in Quetta, Pishin and Qila Abdullah alone.
The polio prevention drive will commence on January 30 in 27 districts of the province, whereas in Quetta, Pishin and Qila Abdullah, the campaign will begin on February 6. As many as 2.2 million children will be administered anti-polio drops during this campaign. Around 6,068 mobile teams, 796 fixed sight teams, 73 border teams and 267 transit teams will assist the campaign.
As many as 73 children have been paralysed for life during the past decade, raising questions about effectiveness of the government and health organisations.
Addressing a news conference on Saturday, World Health Organisation team leader Dr Abdul Wahab Aslam said that the anti-polio campaign has been drastically improved for the affected districts of Balochistan. An emergency plan at national level has already been formed to completely eradicate the virus.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 29th, 2012.
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