Inadequate security: ICT admin to delay immunisation drive

The campaign was scheduled to begin from Jan 14.

ISLAMABAD:

The Capital Administration Authority (CDA) health directorate on Friday decided to delay a three-day sub-national polio immunisation campaign in Islamabad due to inadequate security measures.

The sub national polio immunisation was scheduled to be held from January 14.

The decision was taken in a meeting of the District Polio Eradication Committee (DPEC), chaired by CDA Administration Member Chaudhary Munir Ahmed.



CDA Health Services Director Dr Hassan Urooj told The Express Tribune that they fear Minhaj-ul-Quran International (MQI) chief Tahirul Qadri’s rally will disturb the security measures for the campaign. Most of the roads will be blocked, with security agencies focused on providing security to members of the rally, he added.

The immunisation drive, he said, will be added at a later date when the polio teams can be given adequate security.

There are 240 polio teams for the nine zones of Islamabad Capital Territory. The polio workers are fearful after the recent murders of health workers in other cities. Some have even received threats, Dr Urooj said.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 5^th, 2013.