Anti-polio campaign kicks off in KP

THE NEWS

The three days anti-polio campaign kicked off in Khyber Pahtunkhwa and FATA on Monday wherein 6.1 million children under five years of age would be administered Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV). Khyber Pakthunkhwa Minister for Health Syed Zahir Shah and Deputy Director EPI, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Dr Jan Baz Afridi formally inaugurated the campaign by administering anti polio drops to children during a function here Monday. Speaking on the occasion, the Health Minister said polio is a crippling disease that could only be eradicated by making joint efforts and supporting each other for this national obligation. He said the cases of polio were reducing considerably in the country owing to the government's successful strategies, advocacy and National Immunization Campaigns (NIC). He expressed the hope that polio would soon be eradicated from the country with the support of all segments of society. The Minister lauded the efforts of Health and EPI staff for their improved performance and reaching out to all children in the province. Deputy Director EPI, Dr Jan Baz said that as many as 6.1million children would be given Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV) in Khyber Pakthunkhwa and FATA during this campaign. He said 16,600 teams for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and 3000 for Fata have been formed for door to door campaign to make Pakistan Polio free country. These teams are being assisted by area in-charges, Lady Health Workers (LHWs) and officials of Health Department . In case of non arrival of the teams, he held an appeal to parents and guardians to bring their children to nearest hospitals and BHUs for vaccination. He informed that Peshawar, Charsadda, Nowshera, Mardan, Lakki Marwat, DI Khan, Tank, Kohat and Fata are still vulnerable and high risk areas. The official said that significantly decrease in refusal cases have been reported in recent past owing to effective advocacy campaigns and holding of vigorous immunization drives. Dr Jan Baz said DCOs and Political Agents have been directed to supervise and monitors the campaigns on grounds and if necessary take strict action against parents refusing to vaccinate children. He held out an appeal to parents to vaccinate their children against polio and protect them from permanent disability and urged media and religious scholars to support the national cause and play its constructive role in raising awareness among the masses about polio that could be protected merely by administering two drops to their children.