Second phase of polio drive to cover over 7m children

PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Khan Gandapur on Sunday formally launched the second phase of anti-polio drive in the province by administering drops to children at the Chief Minister’s House.

Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Amjad Ali Khan, Secretary Health Mahmood Aslam and other relevant high ups attended the ceremony.

As per details, the second phase of the drive will continue till March 7 in Peshawar, Mardan, Kohat, Bannu and Dera Ismail Khan Divisions except Dera Ismail Khan and Lakki Marwat districts as these districts have already been covered in the first phase. Similarly, immunization campaign is suspended in Malakand and Hazara divisons due to heavy rain and snowfall and will start on March 5 and continue till March 9. 

Moreover, during the immunization campaign, a total of 7.4 million children will be administered drops across the province for which 35,000 teams have been deployed while around 55,000 security personnel deputed on their security.

Speaking on the occasion, the chief minister paid rich tribute to the security personnel and polio workers who embraced martyrdom during the previous anti-polio campaigns and said they were national heroes as they had laid their lives for the safe and secure future of our children.

Expressing his resolve for uprooting the menace of polio virus, he said the newly-elected government would continue its battle against the crippling disease in a more befitting manner, adding eradication of poliovirus was a national cause and all stakeholders had to work hand in gloves to achieve the desired results.

He stressed upon parents to get their children anti-polio vaccine administered and not to boycott the immunization campaign due to lack of any facility in any area as it was the matter of future of our children. He said provision of basic facilities to people was the responsibility of the government and the newly elected government would take pragmatic steps to ensure availability of basic facilities to the public.

The chief minister also urged Ulamas, media and elected representatives to play their key role in creating awareness among the general public regarding anti-polio vaccine and its importance for the secure future of our children.