PHOTO: FILE
KARACHI: After the successful completion of the polio vaccination campaign in the city’s district Central, authorities have now started administering anti-polio drops to children in district South.
Similar to the previous drive, teams of vaccinators are being escorted by the police and Rangers personnel this time, as well. The drive will be conducted in two phases, said the additional deputy commissioner of district South, Afzal Zaidi, in a press briefing on Thursday.
The first half of the campaign, which started on Thursday, will end on January 22. The second half will start from January 26, because district authorities wanted to organise it after Rabi Awwal 12, when security around mosques, imambargahs and other areas is expected to be increased.
“We are trying our best to provide maximum security to the anti-polio campaign workers, and hope to complete the drive on time,” said Zaidi. There are some sensitive areas in this district for which we need a better security plan and coordination with relevant authorities, added the additional deputy commissioner.
The South district includes Lyari, a hotbed for gang warfare, as well as Old City areas, and Saddar, and Clifton, among other areas. Zaidi refused to name the localities where the drive has been initiated, citing security concerns for the teams.
The door-to-door vaccination campaign was suspended in the province after five female health workers were shot dead last month.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 11th, 2013.
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