MANSEHRA/BUNER: The health department kicked-off a three-day special anti-polio campaign in Torghar district, where five confirmed cases of the crippling disease were reported in recent weeks.

“We have to safeguard around 36,000 children from being disabled by poliovirus as five children have already been crippled in the district in recent weeks,” deputy commissioner Javed Ali told a meeting held in Judbah on Monday.

He said there was an alarming situation as far as polio was concerned but it could be brought under control through collaboration.

On the occasion, district police officer Dr Iftkihar said polio teams had been deputed to reach every nook and corner of the district to administer polio vaccine to targeted 36,000 children. “I am optimistic that we can reach each and every child,” he said.

Meanwhile, an anti-polio drive was also launched in Mansehra’s Oghi tehsil which is close to Torghar district.

“As Oghi is very close to Torghar, the scope of the special polio drive has been extended here,” Dr Sajjad, the in-charge of Oghi hospital, told reporters. He said as many as 50,176 children would be administered polio drops.

Meanwhile, the newly-posted deputy commissioner Said Nawab on Monday administered oral polio vaccine to his three-year-old son and 15-month-old daughter to begin an anti-polio campaign in nine high-risk union councils of Buner district and the Afghan refugee camp.

Sory, Pandir, Kandarkatai, Amazai, Makhranai, Kowaga, Chinglai,Totali union councils and Afghan refugee camp located adjacent to the Torghar district would be covered during the ongoing anti-polio drive. Zarshad, in-charge district polio control room, said during the four-day campaign 211 vaccinators would visit door-to-door for covering a total of 59,213 children.

Published in Dawn, July 16th, 2019