With three more polio cases detected this year, the polio immunisation programme has become very important and full attention is being given to anti-polio measures in the province.
Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah said this during a meeting with World Health Organisation (WHO) special envoy Dr Hussain A Gezairy on Thursday held at the Chief Minister’s House regarding polio eradication programme in Sindh.
Briefing the WHO representative, Shah said the provincial government has now changed the system as previously the district coordination officers (DCOs) were supervising the anti-polio campaigns, but they did not take the desired interest. So now, the deputy commissioners (DCs) have been made responsible to look after and manage the affairs for control of polio in their respective districts.
The chief minister said that the DCs and his staff along with the Sindh Health Department officials are fully engaged to face and combat the situation in their districts and union councils.
“The overall coverage of polio immunisation is 95 percent and emphasis is being made to further concentrate on the coverage of remaining areas,” he said, adding that President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani are regularly holding meetings, while the Sindh government also holds monthly meetings.
Speaking on the occasion, Sindh Health Secretary Hashim Raza Zaidi informed the WHO envoy about the measures being adopted by the Sindh government to eradicate the polio virus from the province.
He said that all persons and staff responsible have been instilled with the “spirit of ownership” for the project and the DCs are closely maintaining liaison with MNAs, MPAs and other agencies for the success of the programme.
Stressing the need to further accelerate the momentum for achieving the goals against polio, Gezairy said that inter-provincial borders and desert areas be properly looked after so that no child is left unattended.
He said that the provincial health department and administration at districts are working hard with proper selection of teams and stressed that there should be accountability and vaccination campaigns must be ensured.
The WHO envoy said that the polio virus must be eradicated.
The Health secretary said that the Sindh government has made tremendous efforts to improve the Expanded Programme of Immunisation and coverage under Primary Health Care so as to completely get rid of the polio virus from the province.
He assured that every child on birth has been ensured to be vaccinated.
Zaidi further assured that polio campaigns have been launched to spread awareness among the masses.
Gezairy added that it is essential to maintain quality of medicines and drive against polio to achieve the target.
