Sources say PTI’s strategy adopted to reach out to children in risky areas. PHOTO: INP
The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa government’s “Sehat ka Insaf” programme for polio immunisation has been replicated in eight sensitive union councils (UCs) in Rawalpindi district.
Though district health officials denied having replicated the programme to avoid politicisation, credible sources told The Express Tribune that the polio drops were administered to children aged five and below in the eight UCs under police guard on Sundays. The drive will continue next Sunday as well, the sources said.
Under the ‘Sehat ka Insaf’ strategy, children are vaccinated against polio in risky and highly sensitive areas in K-P on Sundays under strict security. A ban is generally imposed on bike riding, display of weapons and gathering of more than four people for a specific time.
“Due to rampant attacks and killings of health workers in K-P, the idea to administer polio drops on Sundays was first floated by the PTI chief Imran Khan and adopted by the K-P government. The same strategy was also exercised 20 years ago in other countries where the drive would run for two or three days a week,” said an official wishing not to be named.
The official said the drive will be carried out next Sunday as well. The drive continues from 9am till 3pm.
District Health Officer Dr Khalid Randhawa rejected the impression that the K-P government’s strategy has been copied to run the campaign in the sensitive UCs. “We have also started the routine national immunisation campaign in other parts of the district. He said, however, that the police personnel were deployed in the sensitive areas to provide security to the polio teams.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 25th, 2014.
COMMENTS (13)
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Seriously? Where are all the haters now ?
"Due to rampant attacks and killings of health workers in K-P, the idea to administer polio drops on Sundays was first floated by the PTI chief Imran Khan and adopted by the K-P government."
Kindly elaborate in which UCs in Pindi, there have been, "rampant attacks & killings of health workers"?
Oh my my... champions of good governance are ashamed to acknowledge other for good idea
If these officials agreed that their campaign was the replica of "Sehat Ka Insaf", next day he/ she would be fired by Punjab Narrow minded rulers.
Thanks to PTI, people of Sindh and Punjab are also experiencing good governance!
PTI with difference with ideas of running the govt affairs... No doubt.. IK is going slow but steady in reaching targets in KPK.
So called 'the most experienced team' following the footsteps of new comers, inexperienced, cricketers blah blah... Seems their experience is only valid for the corruption and nothing else.
First its was Sindh trying to replicate the program and now it is Punjab. Haters will continue to hate but PTI has made it mark.
Imran said that the rest of Pakistan will follow us. Where are the haters now?
This Sehat ka insaf strategy has also been adopted in Karachi as well. There is no humiliation in adopting good things from anyone. Stop politicizing it because polio vaccination is a must for every child.
Good to see that part from its election manifesto, foreign policy and internal security policy, PTI's health policy has also been copied. All for the greater good, lets hope more is to come. Lets fight polio together.
District Health Officer Dr Khalid Randhawa rejected the impression that the K-P government’s strategy has been copied ..some ppl just can't praise their rivals. (choti soch k maalik) ..anyway as long its good for the citizens they should carry on. best wishes!