Punjab government ramps up polio eradication efforts
The Punjab government will set up special polio vaccination counters at entry and exit points.
LAHORE: (Dunya News)--The Punjab government will set up special polio vaccination counters at entry and exit points across the province to strengthen polio eradication efforts.
This was decided in a meeting of the provincial task force on Polio Eradication which was attended by the provincial ministers Khawaja Salman Rafique, Khawaja Imran Nazir, Chief Secretary Punjab Zahid Akhtar Zaman and officials of other departments.
Addressing the participants, Khawaja Salman Rafique said that during the next polio eradication campaign, all provincial ministers will ensure their presence in the field along with polio teams. He said different approaches will be employed in each district to combat the disease.
He asked the deputy commissioners and health officials to identify and address issues hindering progress to achieve targets.
The participants decided that all entry and exit points of the Punjab will have polio vaccination counters.
During the meeting, the officials pledged that maximum efforts would be made to ensure the eradication of polio and other diseases from the province.
Khawaja Imran Nazir categorically mentioned that a health emergency might be imposed, if necessary, to finally eradicate polio. He said population movement is a prime factor in spreading the disease. However, he assured that every child will be given polio vaccine drops at the entry and exit points.
The Chief Secretary said action would be taken against the officials who will show negligence during the polio eradication campaign.
