KARACHI: The first polio immunization campaign of the year 2018, for Karachi, marked its beginning Monday with Commissioner Ejaz Ahmed Khan administering oral polio vaccine to a young girl child Sanobar at KMC Maternity Home in Chanesar Goth area.
Formal inaugural of the exercise was soon followed with no less than 9000 teams reaching colonies and housing projects scattered around Karachi so as to inoculate an estimated population of 2.2 million under five children.
The exercise to continue till January 28, holds immense relevance for the children in Karachi where faulty water supply lines often mingled with sewerage lines are reported to be a serious health risk for people in general and kids in particular.
"The fact that two active cases of polio were reported in the metropolis only recently with high chances of water contamination through fecal source makes vaccination of every under five children all the more important," said Prof. Dr. Abdul Ghaffar Biloo.
Agreeing that adequate measures must be needed to vaccinate young kids arriving from different parts to the metropolis, the senior pediatrician also emphasized need to strengthen the culture of routine immunization.
"We have to motivate parents to avail of crucial facility extended through expanded Program on Immunization (EPI)," commented the senior doctor.
To another query, he strongly expressed his support for the public demand for adequate civic facilities in specific context of safe and regular water supply system and efficient sanitary system across the country.
"This is prerequisite for public health," emphasized the doctor.
Meanwhile the Karachi Commissioner addressing the inaugural ceremony called upon sportsmen and professionals pertaining to entertainment industry to support the cause.
"Enjoying public confidence and support you are definitely better positioned to sensitize people about importance of OPV," he said reiterating that it is a joint responsibility of all citizens to protect children against the crippling disease.
Taking strong exception to the fact that country, only after Afghanistan, remains last in the world community to get rid of the virus, he said great responsibility lies upon all people to achieve zero polio status for the country.
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