QUETTA: The government is utilising all available resources to protect children from crippling and fatal diseases, including polio and hepatitis, says Balochistan Chief Minister Dr Abdul Malik Baloch.

Addressing a consultative meeting on Tuesday, he asked the officials of the Extended Programme on Im­­mu­nisation (EPI) to play their role in eliminating crippling and fatal diseases threatening the children of the province.

Also read: Three more polio cases confirmed

It was further revealed in the meeting that merely 16 per cent of children had access to immunisation due to the paucity of funds.

The Chief Minister admitting the alarmingly high rate of child mortality said the government was making all-out efforts to put a cap on it. Hence, EPI should also expedite their endeavour to saving the maximum number of children from the effects of these ailments, Dr Malik added.

He lauded the MPAs and secretaries for their participation in polio immunisation campaign and hoped it would bear fruitful results. He also stressed on creating awareness among the masses about the life-long threats of polio disease.

Know more: Polio team attacked in Balochistan, Levies man killed

The Chief Minister said that children even in 21st century were deprived of proper treatment and parents unaware of the advantage of immunisation. A large number of children do not survive because of the lack of treatment, he stated.

Expressing awe at the speed at which hepatitis was spreading, he directed the concerned authorities to take every possible step for completely eradicating these maladies from Balochistan.

Published in Dawn, October 1st , 2014