Averting polio: Parent’s cooperation sought

Around 1,13,000 children will be vaccinated during three-day drive.

PESHAWAR: At least 30 polio cases have been reported in the three-day anti-polio campaign inaugurated in Khyber Agency on Tuesday. According to Radio Mashaal, health experts termed it a threat to the lives of the local children.

Assistant Health Official and in-charge of the campaign, Dr Saleem, told Radio Mashaal said that at least 113,000 children will be inoculated against polio, during this campaign. A comprehensive plan has been chalked out and efforts are being made to overcome polio in the Khyber Agency, he said.

Dr Saleem said that the reasons behind the exponential increase in polio cases in the area are lack of field staff, parents’ withdrawal during campaigns and our inability to access the far flung areas.

“Only male staffers are carrying out the campaign on the demand of the public so I appeal the people to cooperate with us and bring their children for vaccination.” He said that if parents remained callous against rectifying this crippling disease, then it would become hard for them to conduct a successful campaign.

Officials of the World Health Organization (WHO) and others influential people of the area also discussed precautionary measures to be taken against polio with the local radio.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 29^th, 2010.