Islamabad - A task force for eradication of polio in twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi was constituted yesterday to bridge coordination gaps among different departments.
Minister of State for Capital Administration and Development Division (CA&DD), Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhary will head the task force as chairman to oversee anti-polio drives in Islamabad and Rawalpindi.
Currently, the federal capital is divided into rural and urban areas controlled by Capital Development Authority and Islamabad Capital Territory Administration and this division was causing confusion in the campaigns. Two environmental samples of Islamabad have been tested positive because of frequent movement of population in 12 union councils under CDA and ICT that alarmed the officials. So, it was decided in a meeting to review polio situation in Islamabad and Rawalpindi and oversee the campaigns by a task force having officials from CDA, ICT, Rawalpindi DCO and DHO (health) Islamabad.
The taskforce was made on the proposal of Prime Minister’s Focal Person on Polio Eradication Senator Aysha Raza. She further said that Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhary was the most suitable person for the chairmanship of the task force.
Such taskforce have also been made functional in Karachi and Peshawar for better coordination.
It was briefed in the meeting that polio vaccine is administered to 100 percent children of Islamabad.
While speaking at the occasion Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhary said that it is one of the top most priorities of the present government to eradicate polio from the whole country including Islamabad. He said that close coordination and cooperation among all relevant departments is essential to fight this menace. He directed chairman CDA and ICT officials to ensure their departments’ co-operation in this national cause.
He said that polio drops are being administered to all children in the federal capital. He said that the government is committed to abolish polio from all over the country including the capital on priority basis. He said that complete security had been provided to the polio teams. More doctor and vaccinators would also be inducted for the polio campaign, Dr Fazal added.