ISLAMABAD - Three more polio cases have surfaced in the tribal belt of the country. All three cases have been reported from Khyber Agency. The affected are identified as five-year-old Sumbal, one-year-old Simran – both belonged to Tehsil Bara – and 1.5-year-old Ibraheem from Kaddan Meeran Khail.
Health Adviser advocates for
effective polio campaign
Advisor to Chief Minister Punjab on Health Kh Salman Rafiq has directed the officials to revise micro plan and make anti-polio campaign more effective.
Chairing a meeting held at DG Health office on Monday to review the situation after detection of polio virus in environment sample from Outfall Road, he directed carrying out anti polio campaign on the pattern of anti dengue drive.
Secretary Health Dr Ijaz Munir, DG Health Dr Zahid Pervaiz, DCO Lahore Cap (R) Muhammad Usman, Provincial Officer of WHO Dr Ubaid-ul-Islam, Representative of Melindagates Foundation Dr Aslam Ch, Director Health(EPI) Dr Munir Ahmad, EDO (H) Lahore Dr Zulfiqar Ali and Deputy District Officers (Health) of all the towns attended the meeting.
Kh Salman Rafiq said that Punjab was still polio-free and all resources should be utilized for maintaining the existing status. He expressed concerns over positive environment sample of Lahore. He directed DDOs (Health) to conduct survey of their towns and include new localities, factories and other neglected spots in their micro plan for administering polio drops to the children.
Dr Ijaz Munir suggested that Pashto speaking workers should be included in polio vaccination teams to remove communication hurdles. He directed that IDPs children and guests living with local relatives should also be focused during polio campaign and in this connection, assistance of Special Branch also be sought. He made it clear that strict action would be taken against the officers/officials showing slackness in their duties.  Dr Ubaid-ul-Islam presented report regarding polio situation and suggested that micro planning should be reviewed before next drive and a vigorous awareness campaign should also be launched including announcements from the loud speakers of mosques in the particular area.
It was decided that a special one-day anti polio campaign would be launched on July 17 and July 24 in 23 high risk union councils of Ravi Town, Data Ganj Baksh Town and Samanabad Town.