LAHORE - The National Institute of Health has confirmed Punjab’s second polio case of year 2015 in Rahim Yar Khan.
The case has been reported from Goth Marasi village of Sadiqabad, RY Khan.
The sample was sent to the lab on Dec 2, 2015. The 48-month old male child is reported to be from Pashto speaking nomad family which moved to Punjab from Loralai, Balochistan, in Oct, 2015.
Following preliminary information from district officials, the team of experts from health department, WHO, UNICEF and Gates Foundation have reached Rahim Yar Khan for further case investigation. Detailed report will be submitted by the team.
Punjab’s first polio case was reported from Chakwal and in 2015, 14 campaigns were conducted across the province. The Chakwal case was genetically linked with transmission in Karachi Gadap area.
The polio campaign in Punjab as part of the National Immunization Day will be held from January 11 to 13, Adviser to Chief Minister on Health Kh Salman Rafiq said.
He said that as many as 18 million children of below five years age will be administered polio drops and mobile and transit teams have been constituted to conduct the campaign.
Kh Salman Rafiq said that a total of 42604 teams have been constituted in the 3522 Union Councils of the province. He said that 36012 mobile teams and 2313 transit teams will administer polio drops besides 4279 fixed EPI sites.
Secretary Health Ali Jan Khan said that given the data analysis of previous campaign, Not Available children post-catchup, poorly covered areas and missed areas will be specifically focused.
He directed the staff to ensure that proper evening meetings of teams in line with National Emergency Plan for Polio Eradication are held and necessary reviews are undertaken.
Punjab accounted for just one case from a country’s total of 51 cases in 2015. The province faces a major challenge of migrant population from other provinces. Special Transit Points have been set up on bordering districts with other provinces where children are immunized on entry points.
Director EPI Dr Munir Ahmed said that instructions have been passed to all EDOs (H) to ensure coverage of every child especially high risk mobile populations.