Anti-polio: Only district Central prepared for drive

The drive in districts East and Malir have been delayed for a week owing to sectarian violence in Rawalpindi.

KARACHI:

Nine out of 42 union councils have been declared sensitive in district Central of Karachi for the polio campaign starting today [Monday].

The drive in districts East and Malir have been delayed for a week due to security reasons owing to the sectarian violence in Rawalpindi. The drive in these districts was originally supposed to start on Monday but based on the prevailing law and order situation after the Rawalpindi incident, the campaign was delayed till next Sunday.



“The polio campaign in district East and Malir will start if allowed by the law and order situation,” confirmed Karachi Commissioner Shoaib Ahmed Siddiqui.

“The campaign is delayed and will be launched on or after November 25,” said East Deputy Commissioner Samiuddin Siddiqui.

Except for district Central, the initiation of the drive affecting thousands of children in other districts has not been confirmed.

“We have made all arrangements,” said Central Deputy Commissioner, Dr Saifur Rehman, adding that the drive was his top priority as it had defamed the country’s name. “We have to overcome this disease and we are committed,” he said.

The Rangers and police will provide security to polio teams working in all union councils, especially the sensitive ones.

Dr Durenaz, the deputy programme manager of the Extended Programme on Immunization, was of the view that the polio drive in Karachi would be delayed for a week or so if two to three districts were not ready. “We have to start the campaign across the city simultaneously.”

Published in The Express Tribune, November 18^th, 2013.