Rawalpindi - A five-day anti-polio campaign kicked off in Rawalpindi with new passion and pledge here on Monday.
Commissioner Rawalpindi Division Syed Gulzar Hussain Shah inaugurated five-day anti-polio campaign by vaccinating minors under five years of age at Rawalpindi Chamber Of Commerce and Industry. Afterwards, he reviewed in detail the arrangements of anti-polio drive and while issuing further instructions directed that health department to cover updated targets keeping in view the shortcomings and limitations of previous campaigns. Moreover, he added that special attention needs to be paid to the not available children and refusal cases.
He assured full cooperation of district administration in this regard and also directed to establish a monitoring mechanism for this campaign and ordered to submit daily report to his office.
Chief Executive Officer Health Authority Dr. Faiza Kanwal, President RCCI Nasir Mirza, Chaudry Muhammad Hussain and other concerned officers were also present in the meeting.
Sharing details of arrangement for anti-polio campaign, CEO Health Dr. Faiza Kanwal said that a target to vaccinate 7 lac 18 thousand children aged below five years has been set for which 240 UC MOs and 663 area-incharges have been appointed. Moreover, 2964 mobile teams and 307 fixed points and 129 transit points have been established. CEO health further added that total 3400 teams have been designated for this task and health officers will monitor the progress of campaign and security of polio workers is arranged as well. She said that refusal cases of previous campaigns will also be covered this time.
Meanwhile, Prof Dr Rai Asghar, the head of Peads Departments of Allied Hospital, also kicked off five-day anti-polio campaign by administering polio drops to infants at Rawalpindi Medical University.
“The year 2021 will be the year for elimination of polio,” he said while speaking on the occasion. He added the polio virus has been ended across the world except Pakistan and Afghanistan. He said the parents and members of civil society should play their vital role to end polio virus. “The parents should administer polio drops to all the children less than five year olds,” said Prof Dr Rai Asghar. He said polio is a lethal virus that makes children disabled for the whole life. He appealed the public to cooperate with the anti-polio teams visiting door to door to administer the children with polio drops.