KARACHI, March 6: To attain the goal of 'Zero Polio Virus Prevalence' across the country, concerted efforts are needed on part of local parents, guardians and teachers along with general physicians , paediatricians and government authority.

This holds particular relevance in view of the fact that no under five child could be allowed to evade polio drops during the forthcoming anti-polio drive from March 9 to 11.

Realizing the significance of the issue and the fact that Pakistan is under international obligation to achieve the target by December this year, the governor has already asked all provincial departments to ensure absolute coordination.

All provincial departments have been urged to develop a coordinated strategy and fully participate in the polio eradication campaign commencing from March 9 and ensure 100 per cent immunization coverage throughout the province.

While asking departments to provide necessary staff support as well as vehicles to the respective EDOs Health across the province, the governor observed that education department could also play its role by sensitizing students about the importance of the recent campaign, who may further spread message among their parents and acquaintances.

For the excise and taxation department, the governor asked excise and taxation officers to provide transport support facilities to the mobile teams of health department in their respective districts. He further directed all the DCOs to line up the resources available with them to achieve the desired goal across the province.

In a press statement, Prof Iqbal Memon of the Pakistan Paediatric Association urged all community members to join in the polio elimination campaign. He asked them to ensure that all under-five children are administered polio drops without any failure adding that extra dosage does no harm as vaccines are of good quality and hold no side effects.

In case of any sudden paralysis among children, he advised concerned parents and guardians to immediately report on free hot line 0800-12012. -APP