Chief Minister Punjab Sardar Usman Buzdar has expressed his displeasure over resurfacing of a polio case after a gap of two years in Punjab and seven years in Lahore. Despite being a holiday, he chaired a high level meeting regarding Anti-Polio Campaign and reviewed in detail the reasons of a new polio case in Lahore and future strategy for complete elimination of this crippling disease.
The meeting was attended by Provincial Ministers Health Dr. Yasmeen Rashid, Housing Mahmoodur Rasheed, Information Fiaz-ul-Hassan Chohan, School Education Murad Raas, Chief Secretary, PM Focal Person for polio program Babar Bin Atta, Secretary Local Government, Secretary Information, Commissioner Lahore division, Secretary School Education, Secretary Primary and Secondary Health, Secretary Housing, Commissioner Faisalabad division, spokesman CM Punjab Dr. Shahbaz Gill, experts from WHO, DC Lahore, DG Health Service Punjab and other concerned officials.
Deputy Commissioner Lahore presented a report of polio case at Shalimar Town Lahore at the meeting and stated that the child who fell prey to polio virus was not given zero dose however he was vaccinated in routine campaign. The CM expressed his displeasure over the latest polio case and positive environmental sample at Rawalpindi and Faisalabad and said that it was an alarming situation that could not be tolerated.
He directed concerned authorities to devise comprehensive plans for anti-polio campaign and produce positive results with coordinated efforts as protection of children from this crippling disease was responsibility of the government. Besides launching awareness campaign special steps should be taken to ensure that children at entry and exit points of Lahore, bus stops and railway stations are vaccinated.
He said our aim is to make not only Punjab but whole of Pakistan a polio-free zone and that he himself will monitor this campaign. Punjab government will play its role to eradicate polio and concerned departments have to work round the clock, he emphasized.
The CM further added that Chief Secretary will chair a weekly review meeting and he will chair the monthly meeting to make Pakistan polio free. Teams of Health Department should ensure that every child is vaccinated properly. Since a child of 09 years at Bajaur (KPK) has been confirmed being hit by polio virus the meeting also contemplated to increase the age limit for anti-polio coverage up to 10 years. It was also decided to improve sewerage system at outfall road and establish a WASA sub division to solve the issue of drainage. The CM also directed to ensure provision of clean drinking water in this area.
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