Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: Anti-polio drive to begin from October 15

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Around 5.2 million children below the age of five-year will be administrated polio drops in different parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the National Immunisation Days (NIDs), drive formally be started from October 15th (Monday). Following detection of polio positive cases, the three-day anti-polio drive has been designed to cover entire 25 districts of the KP, said Dr Janbaz Afridi, Deputy Director KP Expanded Polio Immunisation EPI programme while speaking at inaugural ceremony here at Peshawar Press Club on Friday. He informed that a total of 15,84 teams have been constituted under the supervision of more than 2,949 areas in-charge to carry out polio eradication campaign in benefiting manner. "We are still fighting against the crippling disease of polio due to influx of people from restive agencies and migration from neighbouring countries," he maintained. He, however, said that efforts were being made at level to defeat the fatal disease from country, particularly in this region. Other speakers including Dr Jamil, Dr Obaidullah, Dr Rohullah and Saiful Islam Saifi highlighted the importance of polio drops, which can helpful to safe the future generation from life time disability. They urged the media and Ulema to play their effective role for sensitising general public, and parents about benefits of the polio vaccines. Addressing as chief guest at inaugural ceremony, the PPP KP President, Anwar Saiful regretted that most of polio suffering of Muslim countries in which Pakistan is more venerable situation. He added that the combating polio was a daunting task for government in Khyber Paktunkhwa and Fata as most of polio cases are being reported in this region, which was basic reason of influx of Afghan refugees and internally displacement from restive tribal agencies. PPP provincial president urged the Ulema, tribal elders and religious scholars to play their due role for sensitising people regarding significance of polio drops, which could safe future of their children. He admitted that it was greater responsibility lay upon elected representatives to play effective role for creation of awareness in their respective constituencies to helpful for complete elimination the crippling disease. He informed that PPP K Pakhtunkhwa would also launch a special masses sensitisation campaign to highlight the importance of Polio vaccination in the province. "I would extend any possible support from party platform to complete eliminate the fatal polio disease from the province", he assured. Later, Anwar Saiful administered two drops to kids to inaugurate their day polio eradication drive in the province.