Three polio cases detected in Jhang

FAISALABAD:

Three polio cases were reportedly detected during a survey conducted by a Non Governmental Organisation (NGO) in Pir Kot Sadhana union council, Athara Hazari tehsil, Jhang district.

Among those who tested positive are seven-year-old Nighat Bibi, daughter of Akbar Khan, a resident Mauza Batafi; 14-year-old Sharif, son of Anwar Khan and a four-year-old girl, daughter of Muhammad Hayat, a resident of Jutiyanwala.

The parents of the affected children claimed that the area was not visited by any health department team during anti-polio drives since a long time.

They alleged that their children were infected with the disease due to the negligence of the local health department.

When contacted, District Health Officer Jhang Dr Zafar Abbas Khan said he could not comment on the issue as he recently took charge of his office. “I just took over the charge of my office about a day ago. Hence, I cannot comment on these polio cases at present”.

“Since this issue came into my notice just now; I would inquire the whole situation and give my reaction later,” he added.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 10^th, 2012.