Under threat: Polio drive kicks off in capital

ISLAMABAD: The World Health Organisation (WHO), the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the Islamabad Police kicked off a campaign in the federal capital to administer polio drops to the maximum number of children. The drive, entitled “The Signs of Life” will last for three days.

Sources said that police involvement was necessitated after polio workers a polio camp set up in Tarnol received a letter allegedly from the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan a few days ago which told immunisation staff workers to stop giving polio drops to children or face dire consequences.



The sources said that the letter was shared with the local administration and police officials with a request to provide foolproof security to the polio workers.

Inspector General of the Islamabad Police Sikandar Hayat said that 1,000 police personnel including 200 traffic police officials, 200 police commandos and 650 district police staff will provide security to polio workers in the capital.

He said that 15 points have been set up at various check posts in the capital to administer polio drops to children who miss them while in transit. The policemen will also provide security to polio workers going door-to door or sitting at polio camps.

The IGP said that WHO staff under the leadership of their chief Dr Elias Durry worked day-and-night with the Islamabad Police to come up with the project to ensure its implementation. He said that the policemen will wear “fighting the polio battle” badges while participating in the drive.

UNICEF has supported the Islamabad Police by installing five stalls and kiosks in the capital. The IGP also thanked students of the Bahria University, who are helping the polio teams and the Islamabad Police in raising awareness about the virus among the masses.



“It is good to see that the police are coming forward to support the cause and also to provide a sense of security to the polio workers,” the sources said. Expanded Programme on Immunisation National Manger and chief of the Prime Minister’s Polio Cell Dr Safdar Rana told The Express Tribune said that there was a need to involve more and more organisations and institutions to eradicate polio from the country.

He said that even though organising high-profile events is “a bit risky”, it was also necessary to inform parents and polio workers that they were being provided security cover to make the drive a success.

WHO Polio Eradication Senior Coordinator Dr Elias Durry said that not just in Islamabad, but in many parts of the country, polio vaccinators and policemen now walk together from house-to-house.

He said that since June last year, 22 men and women have been killed while administering polio drops in the country, and vaccinators everywhere have had to live and work in a climate and fear and intimidation. “But because of the dedication and courage of the police, that fear is reduced.”

Published in The Express Tribune, November 26^th, 2013.