Punjab will hold an anti-polio campaign in five districts from August 29-31 as part of the Sub-National Immunisation Day, said Advisor to Chief Minister on Health Khawaja Salman Rafique.
Rafique said that the campaign will target around 3.5 million children of below five years of age in the following districts: DG Khan, Muzaffargarh, Rajanpur, Rahim Yar Khan and Multan.
He said Punjab will make all out efforts to achieve best possible results. He said coordination with districts have been made to ensure complete preparations that include micro-planning, meetings of district management, vaccine supply and mapping of the population at greater risk of the polio virus.
Primary and Secondary Healthcare Secretary Ali Jan Khan said the ‘National Emergency Action Plan for Polio Eradication’ is being implemented in letter and spirit.
“The complete ownership by the district management under the leadership of DCOs has been pivotal in ensuring Punjab’s better results in polio eradication,” he said.
The PSH secretary also directed the staff to ensure implementing pre-campaign activities in line with the National Emergency Plan for Polio Eradication.
Punjab Health Services Director General Dr Mukhtar Hussain Syed said: “The districts have been selected on the basis of population movement patterns from areas having polio virus circulation and other risk factors.”
“The movement of the population at inter-provincial borders, especially from the areas having polio virus circulation, is also under special focus,” the DG Health said. “Southern districts, in general, are monitored because of the geographic situation,” he added.
EOC Coordinator Dr Munir Ahmed requested parents to ensure their children get polio drops. He said parents may also take their children to vaccination centres where the staff is available to vaccinate for nine vaccine-preventable diseases as well. He said in the case of teams not visiting the area, parents can contact the helpline 0800-99000 during campaign days.
