LAHORE - The provincial government will hold polio campaign in four districts of Faisalabad from 22-24 August as part of case response to positive environmental sample.

“We have decided to hold the campaign as the NIH lab in Islamabad confirmed presence of polio virus in the environmental sample taken from Faisalabad in July,” said CM’s Adviser on Health Kh Salman Rafiq yesterday.

Primary and Secondary Healthcare Secretary Ali Jan Khan said that the campaign will be held in 451 Union Councils of Faisalabad division and will target over 2 million children of below five years of age.

Health Services Director General Dr Mukhtar Hussain Syed said that following the analysis by the team of experts, it was decided that the campaign will be held in Faisalabad whole district (289 Union Councils), Toba Tek Singh whole district (82 UCs), Jhang and Shorkot tehsils (17 UCs) and Pindi Bhatian (17 UCs).

Separately, Punjab will hold Sub National Immunization Day as per plan from August 29-31 in 10 districts.

OC Coordinator Dr Munir Ahmed said the SNID campaign, synchronised with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan and Afghanistan, will target districts deemed to be at greater risk to polio virus transmission. He said that Punjab has had four positive environmental samples this year, two in Faisalabad, one each in Rawalpindi and Dera Ghazi Khan.

“Within last six months, this is the second positive environmental sample in Faisalabad, the first one in February this year. The virus is genetically linked to virus circulation in Gadap Town, Karachi,” he added.

He further said that compliance with National Emergency Action Plan will be ensured and provincial team will monitor the activities. “The parents in the areas must get their children vaccinated. In case of any problem, parents may contact helpline during campaign days.”