Balochistan is in right direction to wipe out polio virus
- November 27, 2016, 10:01 pm
- National News
- 167 Views
QUETTA Nov 27 (PPI): Chairperson Technical Advisory Group (TAG) Dr. Jean Marc Olive said that Balochistan is in the right direction to wipe out polio virus from the province.
In a meeting held at Balochistan Polio Emergency Operation Centre Tag Chairperson said that “we are close to interrupt the virus transmission in Balochistan. The province has shown remarkable progress which is commendable however, there are some gaps which needs to be filled to ensure that we reach every child"
The tag chair visited filed in Pishin and Quetta and appreciated the work of frontline workers in high risk areas. Tag chair also visited in KP and FATA.
“We need to focus on intense monitoring of vaccination campaign at Afghan Refugees camps and vaccination points,†he said “low performing UCs are decreasing which is a positive sign for all of us but more collective efforts are needed to reach every child. He added further
He appreciated the recruitment of permanent local community health workers in the high risk areas under community protected vaccination program. Currently there are more than 2500 such permanent teams working in the highest risk areas of Balochistan in CBV program.
Besides others, EOC Coordinator Syed Faisal Ahmed, Aiden, Chief of Polio Unit UNICEF, Chris Mory TAG member, Dr. Zubair Wadood WHO, UNICEF and other World Health Organization representatives also attended the meeting.
Mr. Oliver was briefed by EOC Balochistan Coordinator Syed Faisal Ahmed on special interventions done by the government and partners to stop the virus from being transmitted in the province.
He lauded the commitment of the frontline workers and Deputy Commissioners and said that this is the backbone of the entire Program.
Syed Faisal Ahmed has said that IPV campaign is planned in March 2017 in three districts which is a difficult task and its preparation has been started. “Monitoring and proper planning is being done for improvement of campaign. The local people are being hired and UCs issues are being resolve by them.
Pakistan and Afghanistan are the only two countries in the world where polio virus still exists.
