Staff Reporter
Punjab Health Minister Dr Yasmin Rashid on Thursday declared that the government has been utilizing all-out sources to curb polio in Punjab.
“There is need for making joint efforts by all stakeholders to eradicate polio and protect the new generation from the crippling disease.”
Punjab Health Minister Dr Yasmin Rashid was chairing a meeting of the Provincial Anti-Polio Task Force, which was attended by Additional Chief Secretary Iram Bukhari, Primary & Secondary Healthcare Secretary Sara Aslam, Additional Secretary Sundas Irshad and the representatives of UNICEF. The participants reviewed in detail measures taken to eradicate polio from the province.
The health minister was briefed by the Primary & Secondary Healthcare Secretary and the additional secretary on the steps taken to eradicate polio.
On the occasion, the UNICEF representatives and other stakeholders expressed satisfaction over anti-polio measures.
Dr Yasmin said that a comprehensive anti-polio campaign is being launched from August 2 to 6 in 11 districts of Punjab including: Lahore, Faisalabad, Sheikhupura, Rawalpindi, Rahim Yar Khan, Multan, Rajanpur, Dera Ghazi Khan, Bahawalpur, Muzaffargarh and Okara.
She assured that she will personally monitor the anti-polio campaign. She said that more than 9.4 million children will be administered anti-polio vaccine during the campaign.
She was further briefed that the training has been imparted to all polio workers to make the campaign a success.
She was informed that more than 67,000 staff members of more than 27,000 polio teams will perform their duty during the campaign. She said that polio workers have also been trained with regard to observing coronas SOPs.
Dr Yasmeen underscored the role of parents in making the anti-polio campaign a success. She asked the parents to administer polio drops to their children to protect them from lifelong disability. She said that the PTI government is determined to make entire Pakistan a polio free country.
She directed to carry out anti-polio campaign in an effective manner keeping in view the large population, adding that 100% target will be achieved in 11 districts.
She said that the administration of Punjab is united and striving to make the Punjab a polio free province.
She said that all Commissioners and Deputy Commissioners should personally monitor the anti-polio campaign.
Additional Chief Secretary Iram Bukhari also expressed her view in the meeting and said that all commissioners and deputy commissioners should become a part of this drive.
