DERA GHAZI KHAN, March 22: A polio affected child found in the native area of executive district officer (health), it is eighth case in the district and 14th in Punjab. The six-month-old Humaira, daughter of Haji Mohammed Sadqani of Mauza Shadiwala in Khakhi union council, was brought to the clinic of Dr Malik Qasim a couple days ago where she was diagnosed with polio. Her right leg was totally affected.

The family told Dawn that when the vaccinators came to vaccine Humaira, her leg had swelling. They told the vaccinators about her swelled leg and vaccinated her in sunlight.

They said the health authorities also visited their house and collected sample of stool.

The change in sample to conceal the fact is a common practice in the district. In the past, a doctor of tribal area had changed the sample of stool of a polio affected child to please the authorities.

When contacted, EDO (health) Dr Faiz Ali Jaskani claimed that Dera Ghazi Khan was a polio-free district.

Dera Ghazi Khan DO (health) Dr Sultan Asim Bughlani Leghari said the patient was checked by Dr Qasim and he diagnosed her with polio. Her sample of stool has been sent to Islamabad.

It may be remembered that when Dr Qasim was director of health services Dera Ghazi Khan a case was found in his native village Samina.

As many as 40 campaigns have been launched since 1994. But due to ill-planning and alleged negligence of the authorities concerned either they are representatives of WHO or the health officials, the district could not get the status of polio-free district.