Deputy Commissioner Quetta, Major (R) Aurangzai Badini, religious scholars administering polio drops to a child on Saturday: Photo Ashraf Khan

Health Desk:

The Coordinator Emergency Operation Cell (EOC), Rashid Razzaq on Saturday warned about the existing danger of crippling virus in Quetta, Pishin and Killa Abdullah districts of Balochistan. Addressing a press conference, he said,  “the virus is present in Balochistan, which is very alarming”.

His comments have come after the number of poliovirus cases reached 16 during the current year in Balochistan. Mr. Razzaq has urged upon people belonging to all walks of life to join hands to battle the crippling virus.

The anti-polio campaign would be launched from August 17th to 22nd in 25 districts of Balochistan. During the campaign over 2 million children under the age of five years would be provided anti-polio drops in 25 districts of the province, Mr. Razzaq informed. The anti-polio campaign has been resumed after more than four months since it was suspended in the aftermath of outbreak of coronavirus.

Balochistan has hitherto confirmed 16 cases of the crippling virus during the current year. Last year, the province had reported 12 cases of the poliovirus. The EOC, health department, has formed 8,242 teams to make sure the provision of polio drops to children under the age of five years.

The districts where the campaign would be launched include Barkhan, Bolan, Dera Bugti, Pishin, Killa Abdullah, Ziarat and others. Despite three decades of the continued campaign, the crippling virus is yet to be eradicated. Increasing polio cases pose a serious threat to the health children in Balochistan.

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Quetta Voice is an English Daily covering all unfolding political, economic and social issues relating to Balochistan, Pakistan's largest province in terms of area. QV's main focus is on stories related to education, promotion of quality education and publishing reports about out of school children in the province. QV has also a vigilant eye on health, climate change and other key sectors.