Public health: ‘Steps being taken to eradicate polio’

LAHORE: Advisor to Chief Minster on Health Khawaja Slaman Rafique said on Wednesday that the government was taking steps to ensure children were immunised against polio.

He said children entering the Punjab would be vaccinated at designated points.

He was addressing newsmen after administering polio drops in localities near Babu Sabu interchange on Wednesday.  Health Secretary Babar Hayat Tarar, and DG Health Zahid Pervaiz were present on the occasion.

Rafique said unless polio was eradicated in Khyber Pukhtunkhwa and the FATA, children would continue to suffer. Responding to a question regarding administering polio drops in gypsy camps, Rafique said people living in most such camps were unaware of hygiene principles and children in the camps were malnourished and stood a greater risk of getting polio.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 13^th, 2014.