LAHORE: Punjab Minister for Primary and Secondary Healthcare Khawaja Imran Nazir says presence of polio virus in the environmental samples is a matter of concern though Punjab has not reported any polio case so far.

“The situation requires more dedicated efforts in the coming polio campaign this month,” said the minister while presiding over the monthly meeting of executive district officers (health) here on Sunday.

Punjab had had six environmental samples this year that tested positive for polio, two each from Faisalabad and Rawalpindi and one each from Dera Ghazi Khan and Lahore. This was the first positive sample from Lahore in 2016, Mr Nazir said, adding that 14 polio cases had been reported in Pakistan so far in 2016.

He said the presence of polio virus in the environment implied that population travelling from the areas having polio virus circulation must be specifically immunised.

The minister directed the EDOs (health) to personally monitor polio campaign and ensure compliance with indicators of National Emergency Action Plan for Polio Eradication 2016-17. Special efforts must be made to tighten drug control regime with firm action against the culprits involved in spurious drugs, he said.

Emergency Operation Centre Coordinator Dr Munir Ahmed said Multan would specifically be focused in the December campaign.

Presenting indicators requiring immediate attention in the National Emergency Action Plan for Polio Eradication, he said Punjab was able to address the rural and urban disparity in immunisation coverage reducing it to just over 1 per cent.

Primary and Secondary Healthcare Department Secretary Ali Jan Khan said the staff not complying with biometric attendance would face penalties and other disciplinary measures. He also sought a report on the sites where scanners were not functioning.

The meeting reviewed the status of basic health units (BHUs), facilities and resources needed for their improvement. The Chief Minister Roadmap team also presented analysis of key performance indicators for primary and secondary healthcare.

Vaccinators’ performance was discussed and it was decided that Punjab would further fine-tune its immunisation programme by analysing child level data. Presence and posting of medical officers, consultants’ postings besides janitorial services were also reviewed through data analysis.

Published in Dawn, December 5th, 2016