A senior official said life of polio vaccinators were constantly at risk so it had been decided not to create any hype about the polio drive dates. PHOTO: FILE.
The directorate of health services of the Capital Development Authority (CDA) on Monday launched a four-day sub-national anti-polio drive with much fanfare starting from F-10 roundabout.
However, The Express Tribune has learnt that the campaign was in violation of the “Emergency, Operational and Security Guidelines for 2013- Low Season Polio Campaigns in Pakistan”, formulated by the Prime Minister’s Polio Monitoring and Coordination Cell.
The guidelines, which were formulated in the wake of attacks on polio workers in different parts of the country some time back, clearly say that no high profile announcements should be made about the polio drives.
A senior official working with the PM’s polio monitoring cell requesting anonymity said that the life of polio vaccinators were constantly at risk, therefore, it had been decided not to make any high profile announcements about the polio drive dates and other ceremonies in the future.
“Being capital of the country, Islamabad should set an example for other cities to follow suit but, unfortunately, the CDA’s fanfare that accompanied the launching drive has put the lives of over 160 vaccinators at stake, who are already receiving life threats,” he said.
When contacted Mazhar Nisar, a spokesperson for the PM’s Polio Coordination and Monitoring Cell, said, “It is true that the directorate of health services of the CDA has violated the guidelines and a notice will be issued to them.”
On the other hand, Inspector General of Islamabad Police Bani Amin Khan, said that the reason behind organising the launching ceremony was to give a clear and loud message to the general public and polio vaccinators that the Islamabad Police have ensured special security arrangements for assisting polio teams, so that they could administer polio drops without fear.
He said that Islamabad Traffic Police Senior Superintendent Dr Moeen Masood and Traffic SP Khalid Rasheed were present on the occasion to show full support and visited vaccination points established in various areas of the city.
“Around 161 police officials have been deployed to provide security cover to around 166 polio teams,” said the IGP.
Meanwhile, no representation from any international partners was there at the ceremony.
During the campaign, nine high risk zones would be covered focusing on katchi abadis, slums, rural belts and adjacent areas. Operational arrangements have been completed while 174 teams will be mobilised to vaccinate the children.
Nine zonal supervisors and 42 area in-charge will supervise the campaign. To facilitate the residents of the targeted areas, 40 fixed centres have been established at easily accessible locations.
To vaccinate the children who will travel with parents, 14 transit points have been set up at entry and exit points. The polio teams will visit house-to-house to vaccinate 69,562 children.
CDA spokesperson Ramzan Sajid said in case of violation, action would be taken against those responsible.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 19th, 2013.
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