RAWALPINDI, Aug 31: The City District Government Rawalpindi (CDGR) on Friday asked the health department to deploy teams at the entry points of the district to administer anti-polio drops to the children coming from other provinces especially Khyber Pukhtunkhawa.

“Most of the people, who had gone to their native towns for Eidul Fitr, have started coming back to the district, and they might have missed the anti-polio campaign thus they need vaccination,” said District Coordination Officer (DCO) Saqib Zafar, while addressing a meeting to review the arrangements for anti-polio campaign to be launched in the district from September 10.

The meeting was attended by MNA Malik Shakil Awan, Executive District Officer (health), Dr Zafar Iqbal Gondal, DO, health, Dr Khalid Randhawa, EDO, education, Qazi Zahoorul Haq, EDO Finance and Planning Matiullah Jan, DO Agriculture Amanullah Shah and other officers concerned.

The district has six entry points at Pirwadhai bus terminal, Soan bus terminal, railway station, Murree, Taxila and Attock where twelve teams will be deployed who will work round the clock in two shifts.

The DCO warned that negligence from any official of public department would not be tolerated.

“The absent officials will be suspended and proceeded against in accordance with the rules,” he said adding Rawalpindi district was declared polio-free last year and this position must be maintained.

EDO (Health) Dr. Zafar Iqbal Gondal informed the meeting that total 1,365 polio teams have been constituted. He said the polio teams at Airport, Bus stands, and other similar public places would also be deputed to administer polio vaccine to the children of up to five years of age.

He said 85 teams had also been constituted to monitor the campaign on daily basis.

MNA Malik Shakil Awan assured his cooperation to make this campaign a success. Besides former Nazmims and Naib Nazmis and PML-N workers, chairmen Zakat Councils of every union council would also be involved to make parents aware of the benefits of vaccination, he said.