Spreading dissent: Anti-polio drive postponed in Nowshera as LHWs demand pay

DCO says campaign to now commence from November 25.

NOWSHERA: The anti-polio campaign in Nowshera – earlier scheduled to be held from November 20-23 – will now begin from November 25.

The campaign was postponed after lady health workers (LHWs) refused to participate due to non-payment of salaries. LHWs said they would not attend their duties unless their salaries for the past few months were released. Some also demanded the provincial government regularise their services.

Nowshera District Coordinating Officer (DCO) Zakaullah Khattak told journalists the anti-polio drive has not been cancelled. He assured the issue surrounding salaries will soon be resolved and confirmed the campaign will commence from November 25.

Khattak added the provincial and federal governments deal with salaries, adding the district government has nothing to do with it. “It’s not a bad thing to delay the campaign as we will have more time to ensure tighter security measures and better planning.”

The DCO said he talked with the lady health workers and would hold another meeting with them. He was adamant they would take part in the upcoming campaign.

Anti-polio drives have also been postponed in Charsadda and Swat for the same reason. Though the drive in Swat is also expected to commence from November 25, medical experts remain skeptical over its effectiveness since LHWs have been replaced by educational staff.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 19^th, 2013.