KHAR: After the detection of three polio cases in Bajaur tribal district over the past three months, officials of the local administration and health department on Friday vowed to adopt an effective strategy to wipe out the crippling disease from the region once and for all.

This was stated by deputy commissioner Usman Mehsud and district surgeon Dr Wazir Khan Safi while addressing a news conference ahead of the three-day anti-polio campaign starting from Monday.

Mr Mehsud admitted that the detection of polio cases had shattered the administration’s hopes to make Bajaur polio-free. He termed the detection of polio cases unfortunate, saying, however, that they were optimistic to rid the region of the disease sooner than later.

Mr Mehsud stressed the need of an innovative strategy to eliminate the crippling disease from the tribal district. He said he had asked the health officials to involve elders and ulema to achieve the desired results.

On the occasion, district surgeon Dr Wazir Khan said for the polio drive to achieve results, the health department had had increased the number of polio teams.

Published in Dawn, January 20th, 2019