QUETTA: Over 2.3 million children below the age of five will be administered anti-polio drops during a three-day vaccination campaign set to begin in Balochistan Monday (tomorrow) as provincial authorities have taken strict security measures.
Dr. Syed Saifur Rehman, coordinator of the Emergency Polio Cell said over 6,000 mobile teams, 820 fixed and 334 transit points have been established across the province to administer vaccines.
Rehman urged religious scholars, political parties and people from all walks of life to support the government’s efforts against the crippling virus.
“Enough is enough, we have to eradicate this virus from Balochistan,” he said.
The provincial government has directed all deputy commissioners and concerned police officers to ensure protection of polio officials – police, Balochistan Constabulary and Frontier Corps will be deployed to guard teams across the province.
“We are launching the campaign amid tight security,” the coordinator said.
Polio teams and volunteers have been a repeated target of terrorist attacks over the years – a major hindrance in the government’s efforts to wipe out the virus.
At least 15 people including 12 policemen and a paramilitary soldier were killed in a suicide bombing targeting polio workers in Quetta earlier this year.
