Balochistan: Anti-Polio Drive will Start from 14th September

Quetta – Anti-polio drive in Balochistan will start from tomorrow, September 14th, in 32 districts aimed at administering drops to over 2.4 million children below the age of five years, announced Rehmat Saleh Baloch, Minister Health Balochistan.

Addressing a press conference on Sunday, Rehmat Baloch has said that “Provincial government is taking all necessary measures to improve the quality of anti-polio campaign to achieve the targets set under National Emergency Action Plan (NEAP).”

Under the NEAP, Balochistan will launch nine high quality anti-polio drives during the next nine months.

Health Minister was accompanied by Secretary Health Noor-ul-Haq Baloch, Coordinator Emergency Operation Center Dr. Syed Saif Ur Rehman and Coordinator EPI Shakir Baloch. The Ulema and religious clerics; Dr. Atta Ur Rehman, Anwar Ul Haq Haqani, Abdul Rahim Raheemi and Abdul Baqi Tahidi were also present to give their complete support to anti-polio drive.

Anti-Polio drive will target 24,72,616 children aged less than 5 years.

Providing details, Rehmat Baloch said that the campaign will take place in 32 districts, total Target Population, aged less than 5 years, is 24,72,616. There will be 6,603 mobile teams, 796 fixed teams, 321 transit teams and 46 permanent transit points across Balochistan during the three days long campaign.

“There are 61 high risk union councils—32 in Quetta, 24 in Killa Abdullah, 2 in Zhob, one each in Pishin, Khuzdar and Musakhail Districts where anti-polio campaigners are putting their best efforts to reach every child below the age of five,” said Rehmat Saleh Baloch while addressing press conference.

61 high risk councils would be targeted all over Balochistan.

He said his government and party is politically committed to play front role for eradicating polio virus from the country.

At least five children in the province have contracted crippling polio disease in 2015 while the cases of polio were 25 in 2014.

“We have formed a better strategy for the upcoming campaigns on September 14th. The security plan has been finalized with the deployment of Balochistan levies, police and Balochistan Constabulary,” he said.

He said government with the help of partners have deployed Community Health Volunteers (CHVs) in high risk union councils of Quetta block who will administer polio drops to the children and have better access to the children blow the age of five years inside the house.

The Religious leaders and clerics have also been working with polio teams in high risk union councils to create a demand for vaccination and positive environment for anti-polio drive, he said.

Health Minister urged journalists and social activists to play their due role for eradicating polio virus from the country.

EOC has set up control room which could be reached at 081-9201246, 08426-420889 and 0826-614890 in Quetta, Pishin and Killa Abdullah respectively at any time for lodging complaints regarding polio campaign.

News desk

Published in The Balochistan Point on September 13, 2015