Anti-polio campaign starts in Balochistan

Chief Minister of Balochistan Mir Sarfaraz Bugti launched the anti-polio campaign on Monday, reported the 24NewsHD TV channel.

The launch of the campaign was attended by Provincial Speaker Balochistan Assembly Abdul Khaliq Achakzai, Provincial Minister for Health Bakht Muhammad Kakar, Education Minister Raheela Hameed Khan Durrani, Member of Provincial Assembly Mir Liaquat Ali Lehri, and Spokesperson of the Provincial Government Shahid Rind.

Chief Secretary Balochistan Shakeel Qadir Khan, Additional Secretary Home Shahabuddin, Coordinator of Emergency Control Centre Inamullah Khan Mandokhel, and other officials were also present on the occasion.

The target has been set to vaccinate more than 2.66 million children against polio in the seven-day campaign.

More than 11,000 teams will participate in the polio campaign.

This year, 65 polio cases have been reported in the country, and the highest number of 27 in Balochistan.

The cases of polio were reported from Chaman, Dera Bugti, Qila Abdullah, Jhal Magsi, Zhob, Qila Saifullah, Naushki, Loralai, Pishin, and Kharan Jafarabad Chaghi.

After two and a half years, the re-presence of the polio virus in the environment of different districts of the province was confirmed in 2023.

The virus is still present in the environment, which poses a threat to children.

Parents must administer polio drops to protect children from the virus and disability.

All resources are being utilised to ensure the complete eradication of polio.

The polio campaign is very important to prevent the spread of the virus and protect children from it.

Security will be provided to all teams participating in the polio campaign.

Parents must also complete the immunisation course for their children along with the polio vaccine, due to which children will be able to avoid polio, measles, pneumonia, and other dangerous diseases.

Meanwhile, a review meeting on polio eradication was held in Islamabad, which was chaired by the Prime Minister's Coordinator for Health, Dr. Mukhtar Bharath. 

The meeting was briefed on the ongoing polio eradication efforts in Islamabad. The meeting was also attended by representatives of the Transport Secretary, Additional Deputy Commissioner Islamabad, and DHO. 

On the instructions of the Health Ministry spokesperson, Dr. Mukhtar Bharath, it has been decided to issue vaccination certificates at bus stands, toll plazas, and other places.

Reporter: Babar Shehzad