Polio campaign kicks off in high-risk areas of Karachi

KARACHI:

The first phase of a polio campaign has started in high-risk areas of the city amid tight security, where polio workers administered drops to the children in the presence of police and Rangers.

The health officials have divided the provincial capital's polio drive in two phases, with the consultation of law enforcing agencies. Three districts, including the West, South, Malir district and the nine union councils (UCs) of the East district, will be covered in the three-day drive.

Around 2,300 security personnel, including over 200 Rangers personnel, were deployed for 3,400 polio workers on the first day. Health officials said that a total of 2,500 security officials were demanded by the health department.  The polio workers will cover 97 UCs, however according to the officials the drive in three of the UCs was postponed due to the lack of coordination and inadequate preparations.



The drive was delayed in some areas due to the late arrival of law enforcing agencies. "Overall it was a good day for the workers and the officials," said Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) provincial coordinator Dr Muhammad Usman Chachar. "We are covering high-risk areas in the first phase," he said, adding that the rest of the areas of the city will be covered in the next phase that is scheduled to begin from September 11. According to the EOC officials, around 8.17 million children, including 2.2 million children in Karachi, will be administered polio drops in the ongoing campaign.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 8^th,  2015.