HYDERABAD, Aug 20: Hyderabad which has remained a polio-free district since Jan 2002 has lost its status due to detection of a polio case in Tando Mohammad Khan taluka.

This was disclosed at a meeting of the district polio eradication committee held under the chairmanship of District Nazim Makhdoom Rafiquzzaman here on Thursday.

The nazim directed the authorities concerned to conduct investigation to identity causes of polio transfer and adopt preventive measures in future. Mr Makhdoom urged general practitioners and paediatricians to inform the EDO health or any member of the polio eradication committee about any patient of an acute polio falacit (APF) immediately.

He formed a committee headed by the EDO health to guide and help doctors and to get their help in eradication of polio from the district. He directed that services of school teachers, NGOs and woman workers should be acquired to make anti-polio campaign more successful.

He said it was because of involvement of many different organizations that difficulties are being experienced by the district government in implementation of polio eradication campaign.

He said the district government should be fully authorized to implement polio eradication programme. He directed police, revenue, social welfare and community development departments to provide full support in anti-polio campaign to be launched from Aug 24 to 26 with a target to vaccinate 554,220 children.

He also stressed upon nazims of talukas and union councils and councillors to ensure that all children of their areas were vaccinated. He directed the EDO to identify neglected areas and communities in the district.

EDO health Dr Nazar Junejo said as many as 1,460 fixed and mobile teams had been formed to launch anti-polio campaign from Aug 24 to 26. He said 98 per cent coverage was achieved during the last campaign.

He informed the committee that because of three cases that occurred in neighbouring districts of Nawabshah and Sanghar, the Hyderabad district had become vulnerable as such extra efforts were needed to check the virus.

Dr Mohammad Azmoudeh from the WHO emphasized upon quality rounds backed by strong routine immunization.

Dr Domicina expressed concern over polio transmission from one district to another. Dr Hassan Memon proposed provision of vaccine at clinics of paediatric consultant to enhance the coverage.