LAHORE, Oct 14: Looking enthusiastic to fully cover 1.5 million children of up to five-year old, the City District Government of Lahore has finalized all arrangements to launch another three-day anti-polio campaign from Monday (today) in all 150 union councils of the provincial metropolis.

Since the CDGL had covered 95 per cent children of the total 1.5 million in the last drive, it plans to maintain its performance in the current campaign by involving around 6,000 officials of the District Health Department besides getting services of 140 scouts, nearly 300 volunteers and dozens of local religious leaders/clerics.

Officials said the CDGL would continue to focus on 4,000 children of Pakhtun families residing in several localities situated mainly near Bund Road.

It is for this reason that around 200 Pakhtun students of the Punjab University have been involved in the drive to motivate those Pakhtun families who either refuse or are reluctant to get their children administered polio drops due to communication problem, the officials added.

They said if the CDGL succeeded in covering all children as per target, including 4,000 Pakhtun children, there would be no chance of any polio case in the city in future.

They said an extensive awareness campaign had also been launched in order to mobilize the people from all walks of life in the drive.

CYCLE RACE: The CDGL organized a cycle race and polio walk at the Liberty Roundabout on Sunday in connection with a polio-drive starting from Monday (today) to create awareness among the masses about the polio disease.

A large number of people, including civil society activists and representatives of World Health Organization, participated in the race and the walk.

The participants gathered at the Liberty Roundabout and marched on various city roads. Carrying placards and banners, they chanted slogans urging the parents to get their children administered polio drops. The polio awareness cycle race started from Hussain Chowk and concluded at the Liberty Roundabout. Various officials, including DCO Noorul Amin Mengal, peddled cycles.

They also distributed handbills among the people in this regard. “We are arranging a polio-related painting competition among students of public and private schools during the polio campaign. Winners will be awarded cash prizes in this regard,” the DCO said.

He urged the ulema to show a positive gesture in polio-related meetings and activities so that all the children could be administered drops.