Lack of security delays polio drive in four UCs

Karachi
Following a fatal attack on a policeman escorting polio vaccinators in Nazimabad, health officials decided to postpone the immunisation drives in four high-risk union councils because of inadequate security on Tuesday.
“Proper arrangements were not made in four of the 11 high-risk UCs, including Malir and Gadap, that we aim to cover in this campaign. We cannot further jeopardise our workers’ lives, which is why efforts in these areas have been put off for now,” said Dr Durre Naz Jamal, deputy programme manager of the Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI).
A three-day pillion riding ban has been imposed in the city for polio vaccinators’ safety.
Dr Durre Naz clarified that drives proceeded as per schedule in the remaining seven high-risk UCs amid tight security measures by Rangers and police.
Sindh IGP Ghulam Hyder Jamali and Karachi police chief Ghulam Qadir Thebo also visited areas in Nazimabadand Manghopir to assess security measures and urged all officials to ensure complete protection for vaccination teams.
A total of 216,807 children are to be vaccinated in 11 UCs during this three-day special vaccination drive, for which 807 vaccinators and over 550 police and Rangers officials have been deployed.
On Monday, Shahmir Khan was shot dead near the Abbasi Shaheed Hospital while on-duty with polio vaccinators.
The motorcyclists approached the policeman, who was wearing a bulletproof vest, and shot him multiple times in the chest. After he fell down because of the impact of the gunshots, the assailants shot him in the head and escaped with his official SMG.