Mayor incentivises anti-polio drive to obtain better results

CDA’s Health Directorate organises Polio Walk

Islamabad

Although there has been progressive improvement in the quality of polio immunisation campaigns in Islamabad during the last one year, special attention will be given to fill existing gaps for better performance. Rewards will be given out for good performance, and accountability for non-performance will become a norm.

Mayor of Islamabad and Chairman of Capital Development Authority Sheikh Anser Aziz made this announcement at a polio walk organised here on Monday by the Directorate of Health Services (DHS), Metropolitan Corporation of Islamabad (MCI).

Students and teachers from CDA Model Schools, representatives of governmental and non-governmental organisations, WHO, UNICEF, DHS staff and staff from various formations of CDA participated in the walk, which was followed by administration of polio drops to under-5 children by the chief guest.

“Each year, multiple polio campaigns are held to raise immunity in children under 5 years of age to control the transmission of poliovirus in communities at risk, especially those residing in rural areas and urban slums. Both the CDA and ICT are part and parcel of these campaigns in the urban and rural areas, respectively,” Anser stated.

The mayor directed all formations of MCI to comply with instructions regarding the creation of a permanent pool of polio workers from HRD, Security, Environment, Sanitation and Revenue directorates to enhance quality of polio campaigns in Islamabad.

Anser ended his speech by promising to make Islamabad a model for Healthy Cities in the World. He announced to adopt Islamabad as a ‘Healthy City’ by joining hands with WHO’s Healthy Cities Programme. In the end, he thanked all partners for their support and assistance.

Speaking on the occasion, the director general of DHS Dr. Hasan Orooj stated that the target population for the current ongoing campaign for under-5 children is 140,835 for the urban areas, and 148,000 for ICT. These children will be vaccinated by 600 teams, supervised by 107 sector supervisors operational in 21 zones. In addition, monitors have been deputed from Security Directorate of MCI. This new tier of District Monitors will identify and fill gaps, where necessary.

Dr. Hasan informed that Islamabad is polio-free since 2000 and DHS will strive hard to maintain its status. “In terms of its health indicators, Islamabad distinguishes itself with good performance despite huge number of growing slums and influx of high-risk populations from KPK, Fata and other areas of Punjab,” he added.

Dr Hasan requested parents, communities and schools to cooperate with polio teams and to participate in the cause by ensuring that that all their eligible children get two drops of the magic vaccine that prevents polio.