KARACHI, March 3: Pakistan, getting closer to its target of attaining zero prevalence rate of Polio by June this year, will be launching three-day National Immunization Days programme in the country from today.
EPI, Sindh, in close coordination with the Rotary International, extending assistance for procurement of vaccine, WHO for logistics and UNICEF for social mobility, has chalked out an elaborate programme to provide necessary cover to the 8.4 million children, under five years of age.
Special measures are adopted for areas identified as critical districts, which are, Dadu (Tehsil, Kotri), Sanghar, Shikarpur, Larkana, Khairpur, Sukkur, Thatta and Badin, besides Karachi, Hyderabad and Jacobabad.
Sindh Health Secretary Ashiq Hussein Memon, formally inaugurating the campaign on Monday, sought involvement and commitment on part of all segments of society, particularly media, in the effort closely linked to a secure future of the nation.
The exercise, a regular feature for last few years, has made considerable difference as against 105 confirmed cases in 2001, the number had considerably shrunk during 2002 across the country.
He said since presence of even a single case of polio was a threat for the efforts being made to ensure 100 per cent immunization of the children under the age of five, attaining zero level prevalence and maintenance of the same for the
next three years, would be needed to declare the country polio free.
“Concerted efforts have to be made and has been made as nothing could be attained in isolation,” he observed.
Dr Shamsunisa Ansari, giving details of the three-day programme in the province, said that since certain surge is normally witnessed during the last phases of any disease, significance of eradication campaign must be seen in its proper context.
She reminded the parents that frequent episodes of diarrhoea among children also increases the need for rep-eated dosage, besides strong routine immunization programme.
Thanking the WHO, UNICEF and the Rotary International for their support, she sought maximum involvement of all town councillors and community workers to create awareness among parents of children, below five years of age, to ensure that their kids were vaccinated against the polio virus.
Local parents were appealed by the speakers to ensure across the board administration of anti-polio drops to their children.
Immunisation against the crippling disease had been initiated with a certain intensity and consistency in the country since 1994, through special campaigns and regular vaccination programmes.—APP
