Anti-polio campaign: directives to ensure vaccination marking on doors, kids' fingers

Deputy Commissioner District Central Dr Syed Saif-ur-Rehman has issued directives to ensure marking on doors and fingers of kids vaccinated during anti-polio drives to minimise chances of missed children. Describing elimination of polio from Pakistan as top most priority of government, he said teams must avoid fabrications while preparing reports and insert real figures.
"Teams should leave for fields early in time as we have got time now to rectify and improve performance to eradicate polio," he stressed. He was presiding over the meeting of District Polio Eradication Committee (DPEC) held in his office, which was attended by SSP Captain Chaudary Muhammad Asad Ali, Assistant Commissioners (ACs), Union Council officer, Town Health Officers (THOs) and other relevant officials.
Participants suggested their input to improve anti-polio campaign and to strengthen routine EPI in the district, which was appreciated by DC Central. Dr Syed Saif-ur-Rehman said that three-day anti-polio drive would start from November 10 in district central, for which all arrangements and micro-plans had been finalised. Appreciating the co-operation and support of district police, DC Central mentioned their role to convince chronic refusals and getting their under five-year age children vaccinated by polio workers.
"We can still handle and improve situation but if any team member showed slackness then it will be a challenge to eradicate polio from the district and city. All officers are doing their great efforts owing to which district central is not a reservoir for polio virus despite the fact that it is adjacent to polio affected areas like Manghopir, SITE and Gadap etc. In continuation of these efforts, senior officers should be present first in office or field and ensure marking on doors and fingers of kids vaccinated," Dr Syed Saif-ur-Rehman said.
He shared that WHO had appreciated performance and planning of district central officials to address refusal issue and quality of campaign, and had recommended that the strategy should be replicated in other districts as well for improved results. "This is an honour and moment of joy for all of us," he said.
DC asked officials to engage Pakhtun workers in Pakhtun localities to get better results. "All religious leaders and clerks should be requested to talk about polio in their Jumma speeches to create awareness among masses," he asked. Speaking on the occasion, SSP Captain Chaudary Muhammad Asad Ali said police was always helping and providing security to polio workers for smooth completion of campaign. "All teams will be provided foolproof security in forthcoming campaigns as well. Chief Minister Sindh Syed Qaim Ali Shah has already issued directives to provide special force for security of polio teams," he added.-PR