Anti-polio drive: CS orders 100pc coverage of missed children

LAHORE:Punjab Chief Secretary Zahid Akhtar Zaman has directed that hundred percent coverage of missed children be ensured during the anti-polio campaign continued in 15 districts of the province and micro plans be rearranged to achieve this goal.

He issued this directive while presiding over the video link meeting of the deputy commissioners here on Tuesday. The meeting reviewed the ongoing anti-polio campaign in the province in detail.

The chief secretary said that all deputy commissioners should personally monitor the ongoing anti-polio campaign. He said that continuous efforts are needed for the complete eradication of polio, adding that everyone should work together with national spirit to make the country polio-free. He also sought a report on the environmental samples found positive in Chakwal and Sahiwal.

The officials of the health department gave a briefing about the ongoing anti-polio campaign. They said that 3.8 million children were given vaccine on the first day and 13.9 million children would be immunised against the disease during the campaign.

The anti-polio campaign would continue in Lahore, Faisalabad, Rawalpindi till Sept 15 while in other 12 districts - Attock, Bahawalpur, Bahawalnagar, Chakwal, DG Khan, Gujranwala, Multan, Muzaffargarh, Okara, Rajanpur, Rahim Yar Khan, Sheikhupura - the drive would conclude on Sept 13. Secretary Primary Health and Head of Anti-Polio Programme Punjab Khizar Afzaal attended the meeting.