LAKKI MARWAT: The federal government would approach Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government for filling vacancies of doctors and paramedics to make hospitals and rural health facilities fully functional in the district, said Federal Health Secretary Allah Baksh Malik.

Speaking at a gathering of local elders in Bakhmal Ahmadzai union council during his visit to the district in connection with polio eradication initiative on Thursday, he said that posting of doctors and health workers would help to ensure provision of standard facilities to people of remote areas.

The first polio case of the current year was reported in Bakhmal Ahmadzai union council that had recorded seven confirmed polio cases last year.

Mr Malik said that called upon people to cooperate with polio teams and immunise their children in each round against the crippling disease.

He said that he was happy to know that people of the area were aware of their constitutional rights.

He added that government would make all out efforts to provide their due rights to them along with elimination of polio completely.

Earlier the local elders informed the federal secretary about their problems in health, education, communication, water supply, irrigation and other sectors. They said that the rural localities were hit hard by excessive electricity outages while the road was also in dilapidated condition.

“People link vaccination of their children against polio with solution to their problems and provision of basic needs,” they said.

Published in Dawn, January 24th, 2020