QUETTA: The Balochis­tan health department has decided to take action against district health officers and union council medical officers for poor performance during polio eradication campaigns in several areas of the province.

Medical officers and other functionaries of the health department of Quetta, Pishin and Qila Abdullah districts would soon face suspension and immediate transfer, official sources said on Wednesday.

“Medical officers and other officials of the health department responsible for Lot Quality Assurance Sampling (LQAS) would face the same action in future during anti-polio campaigns,” the sources said.

They said the chief secretary had issued a notification and informed the health department and donor agencies about the accountability mechanism at the district level for polio eradication initiatives in Quetta block.

The accountability mechanism has been devised following poor performance of health officers in many areas.

Functionaries of Quetta, Pishin and Qila Abdullah may be suspended or transferred

“The repeatedly failed LQAS will lead to immediate suspension and transfer of the officer concerned,” a senior official of the Emergency Operation Centre (EOC) set up for monitoring anti-polio drives told Dawn.

The health department has also decided to take strict action against lady health workers who do not report or take part in anti-polio campaigns. The action may lead to termination from service or salary deduction.

It was recommended during the National Emergency Action Plan that the deputy commissioner concerned will be issued displeasure / warning letter by the chief secretary office.

“The policy is wide and clear which will be implemented in letter and spirit,” the official said.

As many as 51 union councils in Balochistan have been declared high-risk areas for the outbreak polio-virus.

Published in Dawn, May 28th, 2015

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