The National Immunization Days (NIDs) scheduled to be held simultaneously across Karachi from Monday had to be partially cancelled due to non availability of security cover for polio teams, Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI)-Sindh officials told APP.
"Yes we had been committed to be provided with a special police task force comprising 700 cops, specifically for security cover, but this somehow could not be materialised," they said.
Consequently, the EPI for Polio and provincial health department were said to be left with no option but to conduct the campaign phase wise. Under the rescheduled arrangement the campaign marked its beginning on Monday in the UCs of Karachi district East and West, with polio teams provided with scanty security cover.
Campaign could not take off in Malir on Monday morning as no security was provided to the workers who were witnessed waiting for the required and promised escort at their respective centres across the district till afternoon. EPI sources also confirmed suspension of the exercise in Banaras UC 06 in Orangi Town owing to security reasons. In the next phase, under five children belonging to districts central, south and Korangi will be administered OPV from January 23.
Moreover, special campaign will be re-started in 11 super high risk UCs of Karachi from January 24, said the officials, mentioning that the three days exercise will be held in these highly sensitive areas, every fortnightly till May of the current year. The kids of these 11 UCs are being administered injectable anti-polio vaccines due to peculiar health situation in the area.