As part of "National Immunisation Day", a three-day polio drive has been started in Punjab targeting 18.4 million children. Pakistan has recorded 20 polio cases in 2016 with eight in Sindh, eight in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, two in FATA and two in Balochistan. Punjab has had no case in 2016. Globally, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Nigeria are the three countries still having polio cases.
Punjab is focusing on Multan, Rawalpindi and Lahore because of recent positive environmental samples; Punjab's Emergency Operation Co-ordinator Dr Munir Ahmed said.
Recent environmental samples have been a cause of concern indicating the presence of virus in the environment. Dr Munir Ahmed said, "There were positive samples in Rawalpindi, Lahore, Faisalabad, Multan and DG Khan in Punjab."
Dr Munir also said, "We are trying to reach out to mobile and migrant population coming from polio affected areas. In case of teams not reaching any area, parents may contact helpline 0800 99000."
"Though Punjab has had no case for a year, persistent circulation of virus means good job has to continue," Punjab Minister for Primary and Secondary Healthcare Khawaja Imran Nazir said.
Secretary Primary and Secondary Healthcare Punjab said the department has constituted over 44000 teams in the province which included 37,845 mobile teams, 4,439 fixed teams and 2,370 transit teams.