By Hina Kiyani
ISLAMABAD: Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination, Dr. Faisal Sultan on Friday launched a five-day national polio immunisation drive in the federal capital. The nationwide campaign will start from March 29 to vaccinate over 40 million children under the age of five year. Around 285,000 frontline workers, respecting COVID-19 safety protocols, will go door-to-door in all 156 districts across the country to administer polio drops. The campaign aimed to raise the immunity of children that remain at risk of the crippling disease,†Dr Faisal said while addressing on the occasion. He said, “COVID-19 continues to challenge us, but we are committed to ensure continuity of the essential public health services during these difficult times.†He added it was an absolute must that all eligible children age should stay protected against vaccine preventable diseases including polio. “Our 280,000 valiant Sehat Muhafiz frontline workers will knock on every door to vaccinate all eligible children in every corner of Pakistan,†he shared.
He said that it was every Pakistani’s national duty to ensure that their children, as well as those around, were administered polio vaccine without fail. He said the year 2021 presented a unique opportunity to leverage the gains made in 2020, despite the challenges of the corona virus pandemic.
Dr Faisal said with the cooperation of the public, community leaders, parents and committed frontline workers the programme has successfully and safely implemented six campaigns in 2020. He said frontline workers and programme staff have been diligently trained to adhere to COVID-19 precautionary measures, keeping communities and themselves safe from the virus.
