The war against polio: 400,000 children to be administered vaccine

DCO hopeful about meeting target.

GUJRAT:

Around 400,000 children under the age of five will be administered the polio vaccine in a three-day campaign in the district that will begin on April 15.

Talking to The Express Tribune, District Coordination Officer Nawazish Ali said he was hopeful that the target would be met. He said the district government would use all its resources to make the campaign a success. Earlier, while presiding over a meeting to discuss the arrangements and possible challenges, DCO Ali said that parents were being sensitised by district government workers and volunteers.

Administrator Sameer Ahmed Syed, Executive District Officer (Heath) Dr Khalid Faiz, Executive District Officer (Education) Tahir Kashif, Executive District Officer (CD) Chaudhry Muhammad Nawaz, Aziz Bhatti Hospital Medical Superintendent Dr Tahir Naveed, District Health Officer Dr Mian Wajid, District Coordinator (EPI) Dr Tahir Abbas Gondal and Depurt Superintendent of Police Ghulam Mustafa Gillani were also present.

DCO Ali also discussed security arrangements at vaccination camps and the police escorts to go with health workers. EDO Faiz briefed the meeting about the vaccination plan.

He said that 396,235 children had been listed. He said 781 mobile teams would give vaccine to the children at their homes, while 31 transit and 119 fixed centres will be set up where parents could bring their children to be vaccinated. The teams and the centres would be monitored by 164 officers in charge of the areas and 33 zonal officers.

He lauded the health workers for accepting the challenge.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 6^th, 2013.