PM’s Focal Person highly concerned about increasing polio cases in Balochistan; announces special anti-polio drive

Independent Report

QUETTA: The Focal Person of Prime Minister for Polio Eradication, Ms. Ayesha Raza Farooq has expressed concern about reporting of polio cases in Balochistan saying in view of the situation, special anti-polio campaign would be run in the province during next three months.
She announced that the anti-polio campaign would be run in September, October and November this year.
The PM’s Focal Person was speaking to the Chief Minister whom she called on at the Chief Minister’s secretariat on Sunday afternoon.
During the course of meeting, the Provincial Ministers Ali Madad Jatak and Sardarzada Faisal Jamali, Chief Secretary, Shakeel Qadeer Khan, National Polio Coordinator, Muhammad Anwaarul Haq, Commissioner Quetta, Muhammad Hamza Shafqaat, Secretary Health, Muhammad Saleh Baloch and Coordinator of Emergency Operation Center, Inam Khan Mandokhail were present.
During the meeting, matters about prevention of polio, immunization campaign and other related ones were discussed.
Expressing views on the occasion, Chief Minister assured that the complete administrative cooperation would be extended to the anti-polio teams for carrying out immunization campaign smoothly in the province.
He asserted that stern action would be taken against those creating hurdles in the anti-polio programme in the province.
The Chief Minister on the occasion directed to the Secretary Health not to commit any negligence in the polio immunization campaign and other immunization programmes.
He also directed to run the expanded programme of immunization in the high risk districts of the province in next few months.
Mir Sarfraz Bugti also assured that the polio immunization campaign would be run successfully under supervision of the Deputy Commissioners.
In this regard, no administrative negligence would be tolerated, adding he asserted.
He said that it is necessary for success of the polio immunization campaign to create awareness among general public.
In this regard, there is a key role of religious leaders, mass media and civil society so as to eradicate polio fully, adding he stressed.