Punjab will hold polio campaign from May 23 to 25

Lahore: Punjab will hold polio campaign in all 36 districts from May 23 to 25 as part of the National Immunization Day, said Advisor to Chief Minister on Health Khawaja Salman Rafique here on Saturday.

Khawaja Salman Rafique said that the campaign will target 18.4 million children of below five years of age in 3550 union councils of the province. He said the National Immunization Days are held countrywide and Punjab on its part will make all out efforts to achieve best possible results. He further said directives have been issued to the provincial Emergency Operation Center to coordinate with districts and ensure complete preparations that include micro planning, meetings of district management, vaccine supply and mapping of population at greater risk to polio virus.

Secretary Primary and Secondary Healthcare Ali Jan Khan said that the polio has been declared a national emergency and respective DCOs are leading polio eradication efforts at district level. “The complete ownership by district management under the leadership of DCOs has been pivotal in ensuring Punjab’s better results in polio eradication,” he said.

He said that over 43000 teams have been constituted for the campaign which include more than 36000 mobile teams and 4,340 fixed sites. The Secretary also directed the staff to ensure preparatory activities in line with National Emergency Plan for Polio Eradication.

Director General Health Services Punjab Dr. Mukhtar Hussain Syed said: “We have analyzed the results the results three campaigns and identified weak union councils needing major improvement. The EDOs (H) of these districts have been directed to especially monitor these union councils,” he said. “The movement of the population at inter-provincial borders, especially from the areas having polio virus circulation, is also under special focus,” the DG Health said. “Southern districts in general will be monitored as part of larger central Pakistan strategy. For this coordination with districts bordering other provinces sharing have been made for integrated efforts,” he further said.

EOC Coordinator Dr. Munir Ahmed requested parents to ensure their children get polio drops. He said parents may also take their children to vaccination centers where staff is available to vaccinate for nine vaccine preventable diseases as well. He said in case of teams not visiting the area, parents can contact the helpline 0800 99000 during campaign days.