ISLAMABAD, Sept 2: The health department of Northern Areas has stated that the entire region under its control has remained free of polio since 1998.

Clarifying a report published in Dawn on August 30, Dr Muhammad Iqbal Baig, provincial programme officer of polio eradication campaign in the Northern Areas, said there has not been a single case of polio in the districts of Gilgit, Skardu, Ghizer, Ganche, Astore and Diamer since 1998.

He said it was for this reason that the Prime Minister had in the past awarded ‘Polio Free Districts Flag’ and ‘Polio Hero Award’ to Extended Programme of Immunisation (EPI), Helath Department, Northern Areas in recognition of their outstanding performance in such a difficult terrain.

According to him, every year more than 200,000 children are provided polio vaccination during each round of polio campaign. The report in Dawn was based on the information placed by the government before the Senate.