Over 2.2 million children would be administered anti-polio drops during a three-day anti-polio campaign that has kicked off in Balochistan here on Monday.
Talking to reporters, Chief Secretary Balochistan Babar Yaqoob Fateh Mohammad, during the launching ceremony here at the Pakistan Red Crescent Society office, said the concerted strategy devised by the provincial government, has helped tangible decline in the polio cases across the province as during the prevailing year only three cases were reported in Balochistan.
Giving details about the campaign against crippling disease, he said about 2,234,425 children below the age of five, would be vaccinated anti-polio drops during the drive launched in the 30 districts of the province, for which the government has formed 6,095 teams comprising health workers and volunteers to ensure cent percent coverage.
The CS noted that since last year, as many as 198 polio cases had been reported in Pakistan and 58 from Balochistan alone, but this year" only three cases have surfaced in the provincial capital which indicates that we are moving towards the polo free Balochistan".
He added that in addition to Balochistan Health Department, teams of WHO, EPI and UNICEF would also monitor the campaign to make it success, adding government in collaboration with these organisations were striving hard to eradicate the disease from the province.
The CS urged that teachers, notables, and religious scholars to sensitise the parents about the crippling disease. Educated segments of society should play their role and co-ordinate with health teams, and get the children vaccinated against polio, he added.
Secretary PRCS Sabir Major Sardar Sabir Durani (Retd) on the occasion said that 20 teams of PRSC comprising 40 volunteers would also be assisting the health teams during the campaign in Balochistan. District Health officials, Dr Haseeb Sheikh and other officials from UNICEF, WHO were also present on the occasion.