HYDERABAD, April 18: Sindh Health Minister Naeem Ishtiaque has said that the government is determined to eradicate polio in one year. He was speaking at a seminar on "Role of Nazims , Councillors, Teachers, NGOs and Media in Polio Eradication" at the auditorium of Sindh Museum here on Saturday.

He said that the disease should have been eliminated in the country by the year 2,000 but the target could not be achieved due to some implementation problems and lack of awareness among masses. He said that the mistakes committed by officials in previous anti- polio campaigns should not be repeated in the ensuing campaign.

He held out an assurance that complaints by the people would be thoroughly investigated and strict action would be taken against delinquent officials. Sindh Health Services Director-General Hussain Bux Memon said that it was a great victory for the health department that the number of polio cases in the country had come down from 15,000 to eight.

He said that in the next polio campaign from April 20 to 22, six million children would be administered anti-polio drops by 16,000 workers. World Health Organization Medical Officer Dr Azmoudeh expressed satisfaction over the anti-polio campaign launched by the federal and provincial governments.

He said that the government as well as the people must remain vigilant at least for five years to ensure eradication of polio. The EDO, Health, Agha Tariq said all out efforts would be made by the health department to maintain the status of Hyderabad as a polio-free district.

Latifabad Taluka Nazim Abdul Jabbar Khan, District Coordination Officer Mohammad Hussain Syed, Executive District Officer, Community Welfare, Ibrahim Qureshi, Tariq Qureshi, Dr Ahmed Haider and others also spoke on the occasion.