TIMERGARA, Oct 18: About 180,000 children below five years of age will be given anti-polio drops and vitamin-A capsule coverage in Lower Dir district during the 3-day National Immunization Campaign, beginning on Oct 22.

This was told during a meeting of the Lower Dir polio eradication committee held on Friday at the district government’s secretariat. District Coordination Officer Hazrat Masaud Mian presided over the meeting.

The meeting was informed that the district had been divided into 13 zones and 506 teams formed, of which 54 would work at fixed centres and the rest would administer anti-polio drops and vitamin-A capsules to children at their doorsteps till Oct 24.

The DCO said polio was a fatal viral disease and an affected child could endanger the health of thousands of others, who could be paralyzed and handicapped for life.

He said efforts were being made to make Pakistan a polio-free state by 2005 but they could be fruitful only when every individual contributed to the drives.

He urged the police and public representatives to help create awareness about the campaign.