Punjab Health Minister Dr. Yasmin Rashid chaired high-level meeting of the Provincial Task Force for Polio Eradication at the Darbar Hall, Civil Secretariat, here on Thursday to review progress on Polio eradication in Punjab. Present in the meeting were Chief Secretary Punjab Jawwad Rafique Malik, Secretary Primary and Secondary Healthcare Department Captain (Retd) Usman Younis, Secretary School Education Department Sara Aslam, Deputy Commissioner Danish Afzal, Polio Team Lead Punjab World Health Organization Dr. Abdinasir Adem whereas Commissioners and Deputy Commissioners of Punjab joined via video link. The Minister Health reviewed the status of Polio eradication efforts in Punjab. Secretary Primary and Secondary Healthcare Department Captain (Retd) Usman Younis apprised the minister of the program efforts and activities. In her address, the Minister Health said, “The Polio campaign in Punjab begins from September 21. In the Polio campaign, around 20 million children will be administered polio drops. All Commissioners and Deputy Commissioners will personally monitor the polio campaign. The government may take strict action on the emergence of new polio cases in the province. I urge all parents to get their children vaccinated. Parents may save their children from the disease through vaccination. No laxity or negligence in polio campaign will be acceptable. During the campaign, all the SOPs must be implemented in letter and spirit.” Later, Chief Secretary Punjab Jawad Rafique Malik addressed the participants. He expressed displeasure over the absence of some districts in the meeting. He said that Deputy Commissioners must personally supervise the campaign. The Chief Secretary added, “Even one polio case raises question mark over the performance of a Deputy Commissioner. Officials found guilty of negligence during the polio campaign shall face disciplinary action.” Later, Punjab Health Minister gave away Bob Keegan Polio Heroes Award by CDC Foundation to the family of deceased polio workers of Khanewa. During August polio campaign, two polio workers died in road accident while performing duties in field. LHW Ishrat Bashir and her brother Sabtain Haider, a volunteer polio team member, were on their way to participate in daily evening meeting at the nearby health facility, when a truck hit their motorcycle, resulting in death of both polio workers.
