DERA GHAZI KHAN: The DG Khan district has successfully curbed the transmission of the wild polio virus after a year-long effort.

Environmental samples from the Main Disposal and Sabzi Mandi sites tested positive intermittently between March 2024 and April 2025, exposing critical gaps in vaccination coverage and surveillance systems.

Speaking to Dawn, Chief Executive Officer Health Dr Ateeq said failures in the AFP (Acute Flaccid Paralysis) surveillance system led to delays in stool sample collection. Additionally, poor micro-planning caused around 10,000 children to be missed in each previous campaign.

He said eight members of the same family, working in a single team, submitted falsified reports, severely affecting vaccination coverage in high-risk areas such as area roamed by Ladi Gang.

In response, the EPI and polio teams overhauled their operations, focusing efforts on Union Council Chorhatta and UC-7.

Injectable vaccines were extended to children up to five years of age, and 60 specialised teams targeted nomadic populations.

Sanitation efforts were also intensified, with disposal sites cleaned and over 850 public hygiene awareness sessions conducted.

At present no positive environmental samples have been detected since April 2025.

According to a digital monitoring app launched by the Punjab government, 99 per cent of areas in the district are now marked as “green.”

DG Khan’s EPI ranking has improved significantly -- from 36th in Punjab to a much higher position.

CRACKDOWN: A strict crackdown has been launched against vehicles using LPG cylinders in the district.

As part of this operation, 18 vehicles have been impounded.

The action has been taken on the special directives of Deputy Commissioner Dera Ghazi Khan Muhammad Usman Khalid.

According to Civil Defence Officer Ghulam Yaseen Malik, the crackdown is being actively carried out across key locations including Chowk Choti, Lorry Adda, Pul Dat, and other major roads.

All impounded vehicles have been shifted to Baloch Levies Lines.

The official said in light of Punjab government’s directives, indiscriminate actions would continue across the district against the illegal and hazardous use of LPG cylinders in vehicles.

Published in Dawn, July 11th, 2025