Anti-polio drive in Swat delayed by a week

The decision was taken following the boycott of the campaign by lady health workers.

MINGORA: The anti-polio drive set to start on November 18 (today) has been delayed by the district health department after 1,200 lady health workers (LHWs) boycotted the campaign in Swat.

The drive has been delayed for at least one week.

“The campaign in Swat will start on November 25 now. LHWs will be replaced by educational staff while services of volunteers will also be sought,” Dr Rahmat Elahi told The Express Tribune. He said the campaign would be launched across 65 union councils and more than 500,000 children would be inoculated.



However, medical experts and social workers in the valley say LHWs are not just experienced but are experts at child immunisation services. “Though the anti-polio drive will be completed without the LHWs, it will not be as effective as the past,” argued Iftikhar Hussain, a social worker.

According to LHW Association Swat President Naheed Bibi, their salaries have been withheld for the past three months. “The government has willingly pushed us into famine, even though we have assisted them during every health crisis,” Naheed had said earlier at a news conference. She had shared lady health workers have not yet been paid for their election duties either.

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