21 August 2004	Saturday	04 Rajab 1425

KARACHI, Aug 20: All EDOs of health and town health officers in the province have been directed to ensure 100 per cent coverage of oral polio vaccine (OPV) during the National Immunization Days commencing on Aug 24.

In a meeting held here on Friday, advisor to the Sindh chief minister on health Faisal Malik reiterated no child up to age of five be missed or denied OPV as then only the children can be offered immunity against the crippling disease.

The advisor mentioned that over 11 cases of polio have been reported during the current year. He made a passionate appeal to parents to assist the government in its efforts to attain the zero prevalence of polio and be among the countries that have managed to eradicate the disease.

He particularly warned the EDOs of Karachi, Hyderabad, Mirpurkhas, Sanghar, Ghotki, Nawabshah, Larkana and Jacobabad to see that the campaign is not hampered under any pretext and there must necessarily be provision for adequate number of vaccinators and the OPV vials so that 100 per cent coverage is attained.

With regard to remote areas, he said that teams be constituted of responsible individuals who may not indulge in any negligence. -APP