ISLAMABAD: The staff at Federally Administered Tribal Area (Fata) Emergency Operation Centre (EOC) on polio were relieved to receive polio vaccine for the children of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) returning to South Waziristan from March 16.

According to an official, United Nations (UN) agencies had to intervene to ensure that the vaccine is shifted to the EOC.

Following the military operation against the Taliban in South Waziristan, 800,000 people became internally displaced and began living in IDP camps.

A National Health Services (NHS) Ministry official told Dawn that as the IDPs begin returning to their homes in South Waziristan, as many as nine permanent transit points have been established where children would be given polio vaccine.

“Since people began migrating from previously inaccessible Waziristan, children were regularly given vaccine from May 2014. All children up to the age of 10 years were vaccinated at transit points in Bannu, Hangu, DI Khan, Tank, Lakki Marwat, Bannu, Kohat, Kark,” he said.

The official said that since the IDPs are now returning to their homes, it was decided that the children would be vaccinated again.

“No one knows if we would be able to vaccinate these children again, as the security situation remains precarious in the tribal areas and the Taliban have imposed a ban on polio immunization,” he said.

According to letter, available with Dawn, on March 9, Fata health officials requested National Expended Programme of Immunization (EPI) to send 56,000 doses of oral polio vaccine (OPV), 17920 inactivated polio vaccine (IPV), 19891 syringes and 199 safety boxes on urgent basis.

The IPV is injected into the bloodstream and protects a child from being infected with polio for a lifetime.

A Fata health official, requesting anonymity, said the EPI did not give a positive response to the letter.

“The Fata health officials were very concerned and decided to ask UN agencies to intervene in the matter. We understood the urgency of the situation, knowing this may be the last chance to vaccinate these children,” he said.

The official said that following the intervention of the agencies, the stocks of vaccine were finally sent.

In response to a query, the official said that IDPs will start returning to Sararogha and Sarwakai areas from March 16, after which 200 to 250 families would return each day.

“The resettlement of the IDPs will continue until April 10,” he said.

Prime Minister’s Focal Person on Polio Senator Ayesha Raza told Dawn said that as soon as the matter came to her notice, she directed her staff to send the vaccine.

“The vaccine has been sent and more will be sent, if required. I understand that this is a very important and sensitive issue. Every IDP’s child should be vaccinated,” she said.

Published in Dawn, March 15th, 2015

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