The anti-polio campaign was postponed till next week, following the administering of drops to some children at few spots in tribal area of Khyber Agency on Sunday. Agency surgeon Dr Niaz while sharing details said that like other parts of the country, the drive was scheduled on January 15 (Sunday).
However, he said on the directives of health directorate Fata officials, it was delayed till next week. He further said that all preparation had been finalised to carry out the campaign.
The local sources informed that the health officials partially launched the drive as a test case following death of six children due to alleged expired vaccines in previous campaign in Khyber Agency and the parents expressed their reservations over the anti-polio feeding.
According to official of Emergency Operation Center, Fata in the ongoing week mobilisation would be started and from next week a full-fledged anti-polio drive would be initiated. He further said that for the first time ambulance service had been provided during the campaign to provide timely treatment to a child in time of need.
Answering a query he added that meetings had been convened with reluctant parents whose children died during last anti-polio drive and they would be convinced to administer anti-polio drops to their children.
It is to be mentioned here that six children died mysteriously in tehsils Bara and Landi Kotal during last polio campaign that caused panic among the tribesmen of Khyber Agency.
Meanwhile, a three-day anti polio campaign will be started in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa from Monday. More than 6.6 million children up to five years of age will be administered anti-polio drops in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and tribal areas.
In Gilgit Baltistan, two lac and twenty thousand children up to five years of age will be administered anti polio drops. In Kotli district, of Mirpur division one hundred 42 thousand children up to five years of age would be administered anti-polio drops.