The anti-polio campaign in 13 districts of Punjab will start from March 13. The campaign will last for seven days in Lahore, Rawalpindi, and Faisalabad and for five days in Bahawalpur, Bhakkar, DG Khan, Layya, Mianwali, Multan, Rajanpur, Rahim Yar Khan, Sheikhupura and Sialkot. As many as 11.35 million children up to the age of five years will be immunized against polio during the drive.
The Chief Secretary Punjab reviewed the arrangements for the campaign at a meeting in the Civil Secretariat here on Friday. Caretaker Minister for Primary Healthcare Dr. Jamal Nasir, all divisional commissioners and deputy commissioners participated in the meeting through video link. The Secretary Specialized Healthcare, Secretary Primary Healthcare, officials of the health department and representatives of international organizations working for polio eradication were also present.
The Chief Secretary directed that the anti-polio campaign be made a success. He mentioned that for the complete elimination of polio, it is very important to continue the collective efforts against the virus. He added that the deputy commissioners should pay special attention to the quality and coverage of the anti-polio drive. He said that the only solution to prevent poliovirus is the vaccine, therefore parents must give the vaccine to children up to five years of age every time.
The Secretary Primary Healthcare informed the meeting that more than 90,000 polio workers would perform duties in the anti-polio campaign starting from March 13. He said that special points have been set up for the coverage of the moving population.
