Anti-polio drive in Faisalabad Division begins today

LAHORE: Punjab government will hold anti-polio campaign in Faisalabad division’s four districts from August 22 to Aug 24 as part of case response to positive environmental sample.

According to a handout issued here on Sunday, Adviser to Chief Minister Khawaja Salman Rafique said they had decided to hold the campaign in Faisalabad as the NIH lab in Islamabad confirmed presence of polio virus in the environmental sample taken from Faisalabad in July.

Primary and Secondary Healthcare Secretary Ali Jan Khan said that the campaign would be held in 451 union councils of Faisalabad division and would target over two million children under five years of age.

Health Services Director General Dr Mukhtar Hussain Syed said that following the analysis by a team of experts, it was decided that the campaign would be held in whole Faisalabad district, Toba Tek Singh whole district, Jhang and Shorkot tehsils, 17 UCs and Pindi Bhatian, 17 UCs.

Punjab government will hold Sub-National Immunisation Day according to the plan from August 29 to Aug 31 in 10 districts.

EOC Coordinator Dr Munir Ahmed said the SNID campaign, synchronised with Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan and Afghanistan, would target the districts deemed to be at greater risk of polio virus transmission. He said Punjab had had four positive environmental samples this year, two in Faisalabad, one in Rawalpindi and one in Dera Ghazi Khan.

He said that within the last six months, there was the second positive environmental sample in Faisalabad, the first one was in February this year. The virus is genetically linked to polio virus circulation in Gadap Area of Karachi, he added.

Dr Munir said, “Compliance with National Emergency Action Plan will be ensured and provincial team will monitor the activities. The parents in the areas must get their children vaccinated. In case of any problems, parents may contact helpline 0800 99000 during campaign days.”