A six-day anti-polio campaign to vaccinate children below five years of age started in Karachi today.
During the drive, over 2.2 million children in 188 union councils of the city would be administered anti-polio vaccines.
Commissioner Karachi was expected to open the drive, however he could not turned up to inaugurate the drive due to his engagements.
About nine thousands team would participate in the drive and each team will comprise four members.
Over six thousands Rangers personnel and are providing security to the team besides police. The drive will continue till September 21.
It is to be mentioned here that two-day ago, a meeting chaired by Commissioner Karachi had finalized arrangements for the drive. The meeting was held at Commissioner House, Karachi, which was presided over by Karachi Commissioner Ijaz Ahmad Khan while the coordinator of emergency operation centre, Sindh, additional commissioner Karachi, all deputy commissioners, coordinator of commissioner polio task force, representative of World Health Organisation (WHO) in Pakistan and others attended the meeting.
It was decided in the meeting to take extra-ordinary measures for making the anti- polio drive effective.
The commissioner had directed the concerned officials to ensure that none of children was left out during the drive and urged parents to get their children vaccinated in order to save them from crippling disease.
The commissioner had expressed concern that polio virus had been eliminated in entire world except Pakistan and Afghanistan as the whole world had its eyes on Pakistan to completely eradicate the virus.
Ijaz had said that it was a matter of great concern that many parents usually did not support the drive.
The meeting was informed that more than nine thousand anti-polio teams will administer polio drops to children.
It was also decided that all deputy commissioners would be holding meetings of District Polio Control Committees in their respective districts and ensure the implementation of micro plan.
Team leader of WHO in Pakistan, Abdur Rehman on the occasion had appreciated the efforts Pakistan had made for the eradication of disease from the country.