LAHORE - Three-day polio campaign started in eight districts of Punjab yesterday as part of the Sub National Immunization Day, said Adviser to Chief Minister on Health Kh Salman Rafiq.
The campaign will target around 6.2 million children of below five years of age in districts: DG Khan, Muzaffargarh, Rajanpur, Rahim Yar Khan, Lahore, Multan, Rawalpindi and Sheikhupura (20 UCs).
Salman said that coordination with districts have been made to ensure complete preparations that include micro planning, meetings of district management, vaccine supply and mapping of population at greater risk to polio virus.
Primary and Secondary Healthcare Secretary Ali Jan Khan said that the campaign will target 6,118,546 children and a total of 15,488 teams have been formed for this purpose. These teams include 13353 mobile, 1319 fixed and 816 transit teams.
“The complete ownership by district management under the leadership of DCOs has been pivotal in ensuring Punjab’s better results in polio eradication,” he said.
Punjab Emergency Operation Center Coordinator Dr Munir Ahmed said: “The movement of the population at inter-provincial borders, especially from the areas having polio virus circulation, is under special focus.”
Dr Munir Ahmed requested parents to ensure their children get polio drops. He said parents may also take their children to vaccination centers where staff is available to vaccinate for nine vaccine preventable diseases as well. In case of teams not visiting the area, he suggested, parents can contact the helpline during campaign days.
