RAWALPINDI: Punjab Minister for Primary and Secondary Healthcare Khawaja Imran Nazir while inaugurating a special anti-polio campaign in Rawalpindi on Monday said the provincial government was committed to the success of the anti-polio programme.

He inaugurated the special anti-polio campaign by administering polio drops to children under the age of five.

Deputy Commissioner Dr Hassan Waqar Cheema and District Health Authority Chief Executive Officer Dr. Asif Arbab Khan Niazi were also present on the occasion.

In this campaign, the minister said that more than 20 million children would be given polio drops. Every Pakistani will have to work to make the country free of polio virus, he said.

A special anti-polio campaign has been launched in all districts of Punjab. The Punjab minister said that the dream of a polio-free Pakistan was about to be matured soon. “Every citizen will have to fulfill his social responsibility to save children from life-long disability, and make the anti-polio programme successful,” he said.

He said that the knock of polio workers is the knock of life to save children from disability. “Parents should prove themselves as responsible citizens by cooperating with polio teams,” he said.

Meanwhile, in a meeting regarding the anti-dengue campaign, the minister said the health department had taken excellent anti-dengue measures this year.

“The role of members of the National and Provincial Assembly in making anti-dengue measures successful is constructive and commendable. A comprehensive strategy will be required to prevent the spread of dengue next year,” he said.

“The officials of the health department will be given certificates of appreciation for making anti-dengue measures successful,” he said.

Published in Dawn, December 17th, 2024