Negligence in anti-polio campaign will not be tolerated at any cost: Usman Buzdar

Despite being the holiday, a high level meeting was chaired by Chief Minister Punjab, Sardar Usman Buzdar regarding Anti-Polio Campaign. The meeting reviewed in detail the reasons of polio care in Lahore and future strategy for it.

Chief Minister expressed his displeasure over it as well as positive environmental sample at Rawalpindi and Faisalabad and said that there are alarming situations and not tolerable at any cost. He directed concerned authorities to devise comprehensive plans for antipolio campaign and that he will not tolerate any negligence in this regard. Children are our future and saving them from polio is our responsibility, he said and added further that just meeting and speeches will not be enough but concerned departments will have to show results with coordinated efforts.

Chief Minister said that decision made in meeting to be implemented with full zeal and zest likewise awareness campaign to be launched at earliest. Special steps should be taken to ensure that children at entry and exit points of Lahore, bus stops and rail- way stations are vaccinated.

He said that our aim is to made not only Punjab but whole Pakistan a polio-free zone and that he himself will monitor this campaign. Punjab government will play its role to eradicate polio and concerned departments have to work round the clock. Chief Minister further added that Chief Secretary will chair review meeting weekly and he will take a meeting monthly. He directed that opt all out resources to make Pakistan polio free.

He said that saving children from polio is our responsibility and future of our children is most important for us. Teams of Health Department should ensure that every child is vaccinated properly. It was being briefed in the meeting that a child of 09 years at Bajaur was confirmed of polio virus. It was reviewed that age for vaccination to be increased and decision was made to that suggestions to be seek from National Polio Team to mark age upto 10 years and necessary steps to be taken in this regard.

It was also decided to improve sewerage system at outfall road and WASA sub division to be established there which will solve the issue of drainage.