ISLAMABAD, April 18: The number of polio vaccination points along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border has been increased to 10. These points in the NWFP, Fata and Balochistan will vaccinate 600,000 children crossing the border.

Speaking at a meeting of the Technical Advisory Group for Eradication of Polio in Pakistan and Afghanistan, federal Health Minister Nasir Khan said the government was concentrating on areas of concern in the fight against polio.

Epidemiology suggests virus sharing between Pakistan and neighbouring Afghanistan. It is estimated that more than 1.7 million children below the age of five cross the border annually.

Given the scale of population movements, health authorities of the two countries agreed last December to set up permanent vaccination posts at entry points along the border in the Balochistan and the NWFP. Initially, two points had been established.

The health minister said governments of Pakistan and Afghanistan had agreed to further increase the number of border points, hold special cross-border campaigns and increase collaboration for eradicating the disease.

Pakistan, Afghanistan, India and Nigeria are polio-endemic and 16 other countries reported sporadic polio cases in 2006.

Last year, 40 cases of polio were reported in the country – 16 in the NWFP, 10 in Balochistan, 12 in Sindh and two in Punjab. Four cases of the disease have been reported in Sindh and the NWFP.

Dr Hussain Gezairy, World Health Organisation’s Director for Eastern Mediterranean Region, emphasised on stakeholders to work together for overcoming difficulties in polio eradication.

The meeting also expressed concern over insecurity in Afghanistan and urged peace for achieving the goal of polio-free Afghanistan.