QUETTA - Dr Jean Marc Olive, chairman, Technical Advisory Group, praised the Balochistan government’s anti-polio efforts and said the province is eradicating the virus from its soil.

Addressing a moot at Polio Emergency Operation Centre here Sunday, Dr Jean Marc Olive stressed the need for plugging some loopholes aiming at reaching out to every child for polio vaccination.

Only two countries among the comity of nations, Pakistan and Afghanistan, have yet to eradicate the poliovirus, noted the March Olive.

Balochistan EOC Coordinator Syed Faisal Ahmed, briefing Dr Jean Marc Olive, said the government and its partners had been making efforts for the eradication of poliovirus and commended frontline workers and deputy commissioners for playing a pivotal role in the drive.

Dr Jean suggested focusing on anti-polio drive in Afghan refugees’ camps, saying hectic and untiring efforts were needed to completely eradicate the menace.

He also appreciated regularisation of local community health workers under community protection vaccination programme in dangerous areas.

Congratulating the Balochistan government for launching anti-polio vaccination in Quetta, Dr Jean said the campaign would be extended to other three districts in February 2017, for which all preparations had been made.

The drive would be taken to its logical conclusion through comprehensive monitoring and planning, said the Technical Advisory Group chairman.

The representatives of Unicef and World Health Organisation also attended the meeting.