LAHORE, Nov 27: Chief Minister Usman Buzdar on Friday inaugurated five-day anti-polio drive starting from Nov 30 in the province by administering anti-polio vaccine to children at a ceremony at chief minister’s office.

Health minister Dr Yasmin Rashid, SACM Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan, chief secretary, secretary of the Primary and Secondary Health and deputy commissioner also administered anti-polio drops to the children at the ceremony.

More than 120,000 polio workers will administer anti-polio drops to 20 million children during the campaign.

The chief minister said the anti-polio drive was very important for the health of children. He said the government was fully cognizant of the health and safety of health department officials as the anti-polio drive was also affected due to coronavirus. Still, he said, 100 per cent vaccination target would be achieved while observing coronavirus SOPs.

The chief minister said the ministers and parliamentarians would monitor this campaign in their areas. He said it was also imperative to administer anti-polio drops to the children coming from other provinces as a polio-free society was the collective responsibility. The chief minister directed the officials to arrange special vaccination for children deprived of the anti-polio drops. He said the polio workers performing their duties diligently were the country’s heroes and parents should also get their children immunized by administering anti-polio drops to them.

Published in Dawn, November 28th, 2020