KARACHI, Oct 4: Adviser to the Chief Minister on Health Faisal Malik has said that 18,000 teams have been formed to administer polio drops to an estimated 6.2 million children in Sindh at their doorsteps during the ongoing anti-polio drive.

Speaking at the inaugural ceremony of campaign on Monday in Orangi Town, he called for joint efforts towards making Sindh polio-free by the end of this year. The drive would be monitored at national, provincial and local level by health officials and WHO representatives, he added.

He urged parents and teachers to ensure that every under-five child at home or school was administered polio drops, saying that "a healthy child today will play his effective role towards a healthy society tomorrow."

He pointed out that one polio case had been reported in Orangi Town a few days back. He stressed that it was the responsibility of parents to get their children vaccinated at health centre. He expressed the hope that Sindh would soon be declared polio-free if public realized the importance of vaccination.

On behalf of Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad Khan, Mr Malik announced a grant of Rs2 million for the S. M. Hafeez Public School. He advised parents to take their children to a nearby health facility for vaccination if polio team did not visit their homes during the campaign.

Later, the adviser led a walk against polio. Dr G. N. Kazi of the WHO, Director General Health Dr Hussain Bux Memon and other officials were present on the occasion. Meanwhile, provincial Health Secretary Prof Naushad Shaikh has emphasized the need for improving the routine immunization coverage. Polio eradication would remain among the government's priorities, he said.

He was speaking after inaugurating the three-day anti-polio drive at a ceremony held at the Civil Hospital Karachi on Monday, said a CHK release. Prof Shaikh informed parents that additional vitamin-A vaccine was also being administered to the children up to the age of five. He called on them to get their children vaccinated.

Talking to newsmen on the occasion, he said that a system of accountability had been introduced in the department to root out corruption. He directed all officials of the department to report to him any case of bribery or undue favour on the part of any staff promptly.

The city government has also finalized all arrangements for the launching of the three-day campaign starting Tuesday. DCO Mir Hussain Ali on Sunday had held separate meetings with concerned officials and nazims of various towns to review the arrangements.

It was decided at the meeting that all town nazims would visit their respective areas to supervise the drive personally and ensure its success. The DCO himself would be visiting various parts of the city during the campaign.

He appealed to parents and owners of all private school to play their active role in ensuring administration of anti-polio drops to each and every child up to five years of age. EDO Health Dr Fazal Illahi Memon, EDO Community Development Iqbal Ahmed Zubedi and other officials were present at the meeting. -PPI