KARACHI, July 20: The expanded programme of immunization (EPI-Sindh) has geared up its efforts to eradicate polio virus through its three-day “High Risk Area Approach” in nine districts of the province from July 23.

Dr Shamsunisa Ansari, director, EPI-Sindh, talking to this news agency on Saturday said attempts for elimination of the crippling disease were in its last stages in the province and immunization campaigns were being launched more frequently and with added vigour.

Mentioning that Karachi, Hyderabad, Dadu, Ghotki, Khairpur, Larkana, Shikarpur and Jacobabad, where constant mobility and arrival of people from other parts of the country are generally registered, have been selected for the special campaign.

Answering a question, she said keeping in view certain difficult areas where the population is extremely thick or settlements generally comprise high rise buildings, the campaign has already been initiated on July 20.

“A target population of five million, sixty thousand, three hundred and twenty-two will be covered during the three-day exercise,” she said, mentioning that 9,890 mobile teams have been constituted for the purpose.

The EPI director also mentioned that this would be in addition to the 591 permanent health facilities along with 690 transit points. With the application of all available manpower more than eleven thousand teams of vaccinators would be approaching the target group of under five years of age children on a door-to-door basis.

Dr Ansari said with a view to involve community members in the programme on a regular basis, the EPI-Sindh has been holding regular meetings with various NGOs, and professional bodies to help it properly publicize the significance of the campaign.

Reminding that all children up to five years of age should without any distinction be immunized, the EPI chief said different transporters’ associations have committed themselves to hoist banners carrying relevant messages about the importance of on time vaccination.—APP