RAWALPINDI: A five-day anti-polio drive in the garrison city will be launched on January 15. Presiding over a meeting organised by Health Department regarding anti-polio campaign on Wednesday, Rawalpindi Deputy Commissioner (DC) Tallat Mehmood Gondal said, “Though environmental samples of November and December were declared negative, we need to renew our pledge to work with more dedication to eradicate polio with the dawn of New Year.” Tallat Mehmood Gondal directed the officials concerned to devise a fresh plan with new set targets keeping in view the shortcomings and limitations of previous year and issue fresh standard operating procedures (SOPs) to ensure their implementation. “Although there are only five cases of polio in Pakistan, it still stands among three countries – Afghanistan, Nigeria and Pakistan – worldwide that are not declared polio-free yet,” he said. The deputy commissioner said that along-with all government initiatives, active participation of parents is needed to make this campaign successful. He also directed officials concerned to establish a monitoring mechanism for the campaign and asked them to submit daily report to his office. Health Authority Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Muhammad Sohail Ahmed Chaudhry, District Officer Health Dr Abdul Jabbar, World Health Organisation (WHO) Coordinator Dr Sarwat, Dr Amir Sheikh, Kahuta Assistant Commissioner Ansar Hayat, Cantt Assistant Commissioner Amber Gillani, DDHOs, representative of allied departments and other officials concerned were also present in the meeting. Sharing details of arrangements for the five-day anti-polio campaign being launched on January 15, Health CEO health Muhammad Sohail Ahmed Chaudhry said that a target to vaccinate 840,000 children of age below five years had been fixed for which 221 UC medical offices and 496 area in-charges had been appointed. “Moreover, 2,333 mobile teams and 287 fixed points and 119 transit points have been established,” he said, adding that a total of 2,739 teams had been designated for the task. He said that health officers would monitor the progress of the campaign, while security for polio workers had been arranged as well. Published in Daily Times, January 11th 2018.