KHAR: The health department of Bajaur tribal district on Sunday said it had included female health workers in the three-day anti-polio campaign starting on Monday (today).

Briefing the participants of a meeting held to review arrangements of the polio drive, district health officer Dr Wazir Khan Safi said the inclusion of female workers in the anti-polio squad was to make the campaign more fruitful. He said administration of polio drops to children was basically the job of female workers.

He said there were no threats to the female workers for taking part in the anti-polio-drive as an exemplary peace had been restored in the tribal district.

But, according to the health department policy, the official said the female workers would perform only in urban parts of Khar tehsil, adding they would do the duty in other areas at later stages.

Dr Safi said it was not the first time that female workers were taking part in the anti-polio-drive as at least 30 female staff had also participated in the previous drive.

Published in Dawn, December 10th, 2018