KARACHI, March 3: Sindh minister for health and population welfare, Maj-Gen (rtd) Ahsan Ahmed, has reiterated the government’s commitment to attain the zero polio target without any unnecessary delay.

Chairing a meeting to review the arrangements being made for the National Immunisations Days (NIDs) from March 5 to 7, the minister said Sindh had arrived at a very crucial juncture with particular reference to polio eradication, hence there must be no negligence in maintaining the “polio-free” momentum.

He said that besides the regular scheduled NID programmes, additional campaigns between the months of April and November might also be undertaken.

During the meeting, project director, Sindh Expanded Programme of Immunisation (EPI-Sindh), Dr Shamsun Nisa Ansari, and Dr Azmudae of the WHO also discussed the details of the programme

It was mentioned that besides the formulation of teams of vaccinators, district-wise maps of the areas to be covered had also been updated, while a marked improvement in the capabilities of supervisors, area managers and mobile teams had also been made.

Dr Azmudae said the provision for vaccines had also been improved as compared to previous years.

Abdul Hai, a representative of the Rotary International, on the occasion informed the health minister that his club was committed to providing one fifth of all the expenditure to during the campaign.