SAHIWAL: A monitoring team of the World Health Organisation (WHO) has declared the polio vaccination campaign in Sahiwal as unsatisfactory as it failed the official standard being accessed through a post-assessment survey technique called low quality assurance sampling (LQAS).

The survey revealed that around 10 children were not administered vaccine in two rural union councils (UCs) during the previous polio vaccination campaign in the district.

The survey report was shared in a review meeting presided over by Deputy Commissioner Shaukat Ali Khichi who also showed ‘displeasure’ over result of the LQAS final report.

After polio vaccination campaign, WHO supervisor Dr Niaz from Rahim Yar Khan conducted an assessment in rural union council No 3 and 20 where he found 10 children whose fingers was not marked and whose parents reported that no polio team had approached them. Later, he reported the matter to the local district health authorities and district administration.

After the report, the local health authorities sent teams again and to their surprise, they administered vaccine to 42 children in the same locality. This has raised questions over the whole polio campaign in Sahiwal as there are 83 rural UCs in the district.

It is in this background, the DC called a review meeting of all the departments involved to develop a counter strategy. The DC reportedly asked the local health authorities to improve their service by coordinating with all the departments and stakeholders.

Health chief executive officer Dr Mushtaq Sapra was called for comments but he didn’t receive the call.

Published in Dawn, February 3rd, 2018