First polio campaign of 2021 to begin tomorrow across Balochistan
Health Desk :
QUETTA: First anti-polio campaign of the year 2021 would begin in all 33 districts of Balochistan from tomorrow (Monday). Rashid Razzaq, the Chief of Emergency Operation Cell (EOC) said all arrangements finalized and thousands of teams formed to launch campaign in the province.
Over 2.4 million children under the age of five years would be administered anti-polio drops in Quetta and other 32 districts of Balochistan, Mr. Razzaq informed. The new campaign has come after Balochistan reported 26 cases of the crippling virus during the year 2020.
Quetta, Pishin, Killa Abdullah reported 16 out of 26 polio cases last year
Sources in the health department said 16 out of a total of 26 cases reported from Quetta, Pishin, and Killa Abdullah districts of Balochistan. The three districts considered to be high-risk areas when it comes to the presence of poliovirus.
10,533 teams have been formed to make sure the success of the anti-polio campaign. The children would be provided polio drops at national highways, railway stations, and airports. “Religious scholars and political parties role crucial in battling the poliovirus“, Rashid Razzaq said.
Committees formed to convince parents refusing polio drops to their children
The government has also formed committees comprising religious scholars, tribal elders, and political figures to convince the parents refusing polio drops to their children under the age of five years.
Security has also been tightened across Balochistan to avoid the occurrence of any untoward incident during the polio campaign. In the past, polio volunteers and workers have been targeted in Quetta, Pishin, and other parts of Balochistan. Levies and policemen would be deployed at all polio centers to ensure peace on the eve of the anti-polio campaign. The Balochistan government has put all departments on high alert to eradicate the crippling virus from the province.
First polio campaign of 2021 to begin tomorrow across Balochistan
