Rawalpindi administration directs health authority to immunise over 1 million children in anti-polio drive

RAWALPINDI: The Rawalpindi district administration has directed the District Health Authority to prepare a comprehensive plan to immunise more than one million children under the age of five during the upcoming anti-polio campaign scheduled to begin on April 13.

District emergency committee meeting chaired by deputy commissioner

A joint meeting of the District Emergency and Response Committee and the District Polio Eradication Committee was held under the chairmanship of Deputy Commissioner Dr Hassan Waqar Cheema at his office to review preparations for the campaign.

The meeting was attended by Additional Deputy Commissioner Headquarters Abdul Rehman, the district health officer, a World Health Organisation (WHO) coordinator, and officers from other relevant departments.

During the session, participants were briefed on pre-campaign activities related to the anti-polio drive, which is set to run from April 13 to 16.

Deputy commissioner stresses 100 per cent success

Deputy Commissioner Dr Hassan Waqar Cheema issued directives that all preparations must be completed on time to ensure the campaign achieves 100 per cent success. He emphasised that every child in the district must have access to the polio vaccine during the four-day drive.

The meeting also included a review of anti-dengue measures being undertaken in the district, with officials discussing ongoing efforts in this regard.

The campaign represents a significant undertaking for the Rawalpindi district, with the target of reaching over one million children below the age of five requiring extensive coordination among health authorities, administrative officials, and international partners including the WHO.

The involvement of multiple departments and committees in the planning phase reflects the scale of the logistical challenge involved in ensuring that polio vaccination teams are able to reach every eligible child across the district within the designated timeframe.