KARACHI, May 23: Medical officers associated with the World Health Organization’s programme for Polio Eradication, have identified absence of local teams, proper transportation arrangements and of effective monitoring, as major factors hampering the ongoing programme in the province.

During a meeting with Nazim, Gulshan-i-Iqbal Town, Abdul Wahab, and other public representatives of the area, at the town office, here on Friday, held to review the arrangements for the forthcoming immunization days on May 28 and May 29, the WHO officials sought close coordination between authorities concerned and the area councillors, to make the exercise meaningful.

The WHO team, comprising Dr Aziza, Dr Sajjad, Dr Iftikhar, and Dr Laila, informed the town Nazim that the Union Councils 5,7,9,10,11,12 of the town were found to be difficult areas as inhabitants of the locality had a little awareness of the significance of immunization against polio.

The WHO team urged the elected representatives to evolve better coordination with the concerned government and non-government agencies, working for the cause, by sensitizing people about the importance of immunization, as well as, of the related campaigns.

Town health officer, Gulshan-i-Iqbal, Dr Kazim, was informed that serious difficulties were faced while convincing administrators of private schools to allow administration of polio drops to the targeted children attending the institutions.

The THO was requested to facilitate the campaign by approaching the area schools to create awareness about the campaign and arranging for a prior permission of the parents concerned, hence helping the teams of vaccinators in discharging their duties during the two days.

It was also suggested that handbills, carrying messages in simple language, about the dreadful disease and modes of its prevention, be distributed among all school children and that councillors should hold corner meetings in the town to convince people and seek their support for the campaign.

Among others, the meeting was also attended by Dr Zahoor, Dr Tufail, Dr Javed, Dr Khurram, Dr Ahad, Dr Asad, associated with town health department.

The Town Nazim, assuring the team of his support for the campaign, particularly directed the lady councillors of the area to create awareness among mothers of the children in the targeted age group.

The Nazim said transportation facilities to the lady councillors, engaged in public contact, would be provided by the town council.

Meanwhile, strategy for distributing handbills and announcements from area mosques, during the two-day activity, was also discussed.—APP