LAKKI MARWAT, Nov 8: Authorities have decided to ensure participation of female teachers in the anti-polio drive in those union councils of the district that have been declared ‘high risk’.

The decision was taken at a meeting of district polio eradication committee here on Thursday. The meeting discussed arrangements for the upcoming anti-polio eradication campaign, likely to begin from Nov 19 in the district and adjacent frontier region.

ACO Liaquat Ali Bhatti presided over the meeting. Besides others, the meeting was also attended by FR Lakki Assistant Political Agent Mohammad Fayaz Sherpao, HRDO Syed Khalid Israr Shah, EDO Dr Abdul Ghaffar, District Collector Ihsanullah, Polio Eradication Officer Dr Adnan Akbar, DSP Ihsanullah and WHO representative Dr Illauddin.

Agency Surgeon Dr Mashal Khan told the meeting that 42 mobile teams would take part in the door-to-door anti-polio drive.

He said that five fixed and one transit team would also administer drops to children in the health facilities and at public places and bus stands. He said that tribal elders would be engaged in the campaign to make it a success.

“The participation of female teachers in high risk union councils of the district including Sulemankhel, Takhtikhel, Darra Tang, Bakhmal Ahmadzai, Behramkhel and Ahmadkhel is not up to the desirable level,” EPI coordinator Dr Hafeezullah told the meeting.

EDO (Education) Haji Meer Azam said that most of the high risk union councils were bordering the frontier region and local female teachers were not available there. He said that male teachers should be made part of anti-polio teams instead of female teachers in those areas.

TMA: The Lakki Tehsil Municipal Administration held a ceremony here on Thursday to mark the start of cleanliness week.

TMO Asmatullah Khan Marwat presided over the ceremony. Tehsil officer infrastructure Sabz Ali, assistant tehsil officer infrastructure Qudratullah Khan, chief officer Kifayatullah, head of water supply department Haji Anwar Kamal, sanitary inspector Fatehullah and other officials attended the event.

“The aim of the activity is to sensitise people about the importance of clean environment and to seek their help for keeping the urban localities clean and beautiful,” Mr Marwat said.

He said that Islam asked people to maintain cleanliness so it was their moral and religious obligation to keep their surroundings and environment clean and free of pollution.