LAKKI MARWAT: The vaccinators successfully achieved the goal of immunising the targeted population during the previous anti-polio drive in Bannu division by convincing the reluctant parents on vaccination of their children against the crippling disease in some areas, a health official told a high-level meeting here on Tuesday.

Briefing Bannu commissioner Shaukat Ali Yousafzai, the health official said prompt action by the officials in Lakki Marwat, Bannu and North Waziristan districts helped remove misconceptions about oral polio vaccine from the minds of the reluctant parents.

Matters pertaining to security of polio teams, implementation of Covid-18-induced SOPs by vaccinators and monitoring of field activities were discussed in the meeting.

Bannu regional police officer Awal Khan shared the security plan with the participants and assured that the police would ensure provision of foolproof security to the vaccinators.

The divisional commissioner expressed satisfaction over security and other arrangements made for the upcoming anti-polio campaign commencing from Sept 21.

He said the law enforcers were coordinating with the vaccinators to eradicate the crippling disease once and for all as circulation of poliovirus was posing a serious threat to the lives of children.

Mr Yousafzai reiterated that the divisional and district administrations would monitor the performance of polio teams so as to ensure immunisation of all the targeted children. He directed the deputy commissioners and the district health officers to focus on coverage of refusal cases.

ARRESTS: Police on Tuesday claimed to have arrested eight people, including two proclaimed offenders and a drug trafficker, and seized arms and ammunition from them in parts of Tajori town.

An official said a police party carried out raids in Gulzar Faqeer Betanni and Mastikhel Betanni localities and arrested proclaimed offenders Ali Rehman and Hashim Khan.

He said a drug peddler and five others were also held and weapons, hashish and heroin were seized.

Published in Dawn, September 16th, 2020