QUETTA: Anti polio campaign was launched in Quetta and all districts of Balochistan to eradicate the crippling virus on Monday morning. According to emergency operation cell, anti polio drops would be provided to over 2.4 million children below the age of five years in all 33 districts of Balochistan.
However, across the country, over 39 million children would be provided polio drops during the nationwide campaign.
In Quetta, the Deputy Commissioner Aurangzaib Badini inaugurated the anti polio campaign. Mr. Badini administered polio drops to children below the age of five years at the DC’s office on Monday morning.
Similarly, anti polio drops were administered by officials in all district headquarters during inauguration ceremonies across Balochistan. Hundreds of teams have been established with strict monitoring to make sure provision of polio drops to children below the age of five years.
In Balochistan, two polio cases have been reported during the current year. Last year, a total of 12 polio cases were reported from various parts of Balochistan. The year 2011 was worst in the history of Balochistan when a total of 73 cases of police were reported. In Balochistan, Killa Abdullah was declared as the worst and sensitive district during 2011 when 22 polio cases were reported.
Security has been tightened during the anti polio drive in Quetta and all sensitive districts of Balochistan to ensure peace during the campaign. Levies and policemen would escort the polio teams in sensitive areas of the province to avert any untoward incident.
Militants had repeatedly attacked polio team in Quetta and other parts of Balochistan. Especially, female polio workers have faced the brunt of militant attacks in the province.
