Health Department is working on war-footing for the eradication of polio: Kh Salman

Lahore: Advisor to Chief Minister on Health Kh. Salman Rafique has said that Health Department is working on war-footing for the eradication of polio and all out resources are being utilized for this purpose. He said that disciplinary action will be taken against officers of Health Department and other institutions who remained absent during the vaccination campaign against polio. He said that Health and other departments, NGOs and all segments of the society should play an active role in the war against polio.

He expressed these views while presiding over a special meeting regarding eradication of polio at office of EDO Health Rawalpindi. Polio Operation In-charge of WHO Dr. Obaid ul Salam, representative of Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Dr. Muhammad Aslam, UNICEF representative Mr. Ivon, EDO Health Dr. Zafar Iqbal Gondal, District Officer Health Khalid Randhawa and concerned officers were present.

Kh. Salman Rafique said that on the instructions of Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif and Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif, effective steps are being taken for eradication of polio. He said that if any polio virus case was reported from any area, steps should be taken through immediate response there. He said that 12 campaigns of administering polio drops will be launched in 28 union councils of Rawalpindi and 429 teams will discharge this responsibility.

Kh. Salman said that strict monitoring will be conducted for administering polio drops and ensuring presence of teams during each polio campaign. He said that on non-cooperation, concerned authorities will be intimated in writing for taking strict action against employees of government departments. He appealed to the citizens and parents to extend their cooperation for elimination of polio by administering polio drops to their children up to the age of five years during polio campaigns.

EDO Health Dr. Zafar Iqbal Gondal told the meeting that four polio campaigns will be launched in the district during next six months while 12 polio campaigns will be launched in the division. He said that polio drops will be administered to the children up to the age of five years through coordinated monitoring.