KARACHI, Nov 22: Adviser to Sindh Chief Minister on Health Faisal Malik on Monday expressed concern over an increase in polio cases in the province and stressed on more concentrated efforts so that Sindh could be declared polio-free soon.

He was talking to a delegation of WHO in his office. The delegation comprised Regional Certification Chairman Dr Ali Jaffar Suleiman, National Programme Manager, Islamabad, Dr Rehan Abdul Hafeez, Medical Officer, Islamabad Dr Anthoni, Operation Officers, Sindh, Dr G. N. Kazi and Dr Azmodhy.

Health Secretary Dr Naushad A. Shaikh, DG Health, Sindh, Dr Hadi Bux Jatoi and EPI Project Director Dr Nawaz Ali Shaikh were also present at the meeting. Faisal Malik underlined the need for an increased cooperation between WHO officials and provincial health department to produce desired results of the special anti-polio campaign.

The delegation was briefed about the health department's performance which, the adviser said, was comparatively better than other the health departments of other provinces. Practical steps had been taken against unregistered blood banks and outlets of spurious drugs, the meeting was told.

Mr Malik said that delaying tactics of the past would have to be brought to an end now. Effective measures should be taken for actual results, he said, adding that he did not believe in statistics. -PPI