Polio free: Pakistan Anti-polio drive launched in Punjab

LAHORE: Adviser to Chief Minister on Health Khawaja Salman Rafique on Wednesday said that vaccinating displaced children of Waziristan was essential to combat polio. Rafique said no case of polio had been reported in Punjab this year because of the Health Department’s efforts. He cautioned against complacency and emphasised the need to remain vigilant.

Rafique was speaking to journalists after administering polio drops to children in Chauburji Quarters. He was accompanied by Junaid Jamshed. Rafique said a special anti-polio drive was being carried out in Lahore. He said anti-polio drives had also been launched in Rawalpindi and Sheikhupura.

Rafique said 8,000 health workers were taking part in the Lahore anti-polio drive. The campaign endeavoured to administer polio drops to 1.6 million children in the city. He said the provincial government would act in tandem with the federal government to ensure that the displaced children were vaccinated.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 26^th, 2014.