The local authorities of various high-risk districts have been asked to ensure 100 percent coverage during every polio immunisation drive. According to an official of the Polio Eradication Programme, the authorities had been directed to reach every child to protect them from this crippling disease. He said that the government and development partners were putting all their efforts to make Pakistan a polio-free country and sought the support of the general public and local communities in this regard.
He said the National Emergency Action Plan for polio eradication and its augmentation endorsed by the prime minister called for ensuring that all children were immunised even if they were residing in the high-risk areas of the country. He said that under the augmented plan, the government was getting support from parliamentarians, media persons and the religious clerics to address issues like refusal of administering polio vaccine to children and low coverage of vaccination in some areas. The official said that the plan ensured achievement of full oversight, ownership and accountability for polio programme’s performance at each administrative level besides ensuring adequate preparations for the anti-polio campaigns.
He said that the government was committed to implement the emergency plan in its true spirit, especially at union council of district level. He said the collective efforts of the government, development partners, local communities and media could help alleviate the sufferings of all children.
