LAHORE: A special anti-polio drive has begun in Punjab to root out the crippling disease from the country.
More than seven million children will be administrated polio vaccine in 12 highly sensitive districts of the province as part of the campaign.
The districts include Lahore, Sheikhupura, Bahawalpur, Dera Ghazi Khan, Multan, Muzaffargarh, Rajanpur, Rahim Yar Khan, Layyah, Faisalabad, Rawalpindi and Attock.
On Saturday, preparations for the drive were finalised during a meeting chaired by Punjab Health Minister Dr Yasmin Rashid. The meeting was told that more than 18,000 polio eradication teams of the Health Department will run a door-to-door campaign.
“It is a matter of great concern for all stakeholders that environmental samples from Lahore, DG Khan and Rawalpindi have tested positive for poliovirus,” Dr Yasmin Rashid had said while speaking on the occasion.
She had urged parents not to miss the opportunity to get their children vaccinated during the five-day campaign, especially those who had recently traveled from polio-affected areas.
“Multiple vaccinations are required to fully protect a child from poliovirus. Parents who do not ensure vaccination of their children, risk the health and lives of not only their own kids but also of others,” she had added.
Three days ago, Prime Minister Imran Khan had also reiterated his government’s commitment towards polio eradication, adding, it was a national cause and every effort would be made to make Pakistan a polio-free country.
He had made this statement while chairing a meeting of the National Task Force on Polio Eradication in Islamabad.
