12 October 2004	Tuesday	26 Shaban 1425

KARACHI, Oct 11: Following the directives of the chief minister, the Executive District Officers (EDOs) of Jacobabad, Ghotki, Hyderabad, Karachi and Badin districts have been ordered to explain why their performance was below par during the latest three-day anti-polio drive.

Talking to a group of journalists, Health Secretary Noshad Sheikh said on Monday the five areas mentioned were high-risk places vis-a-vis polio and the EDOs concerned were expected to mount strong initiatives against the disease there. "However, this was not done," said Prof Sheikh.

"That's why the EDOs have been sent show-cause notices." He said the director-general of the health department had also been asked to explain why anti-venom drugs were not available in some healthcare hospitals and clinics in the Thar area.

"A case took place recently in which some people, who had been bitten by snakes, were taken to government healthcare centres. However, the anti-venom medicine was not available there, which reflected badly on the performance of the health department."