Bagh (Azadi Times News – November 14, 2023) — District Health Officer Dr. Mohsin Ali Shah has announced the commencement of the Azad Kashmir Polio Campaign starting from November 27.
The anti-polio drive will continue until December 1, during which 67,540 children in the district will be administered polio vaccines. Dr. Shah urged the cooperation of the public and officials of the health department during the campaign, emphasizing the importance of vaccinating children to protect them from polio.
Dr. Mohsin Ali Shah expressed these views during a meeting held to discuss the National Polio Campaign. The meeting was attended by District Information Officer Sardar Muhammad Parvez Khan, Inspector Police Bagh Syed Abbasi, Finance Officer Qamar Abbas Kazmi, Dr. Talal, Nutrition Officer Sardar Rizwan, Sajida Khatoon, Rafat Aftab, Raja Haneef, and others.
Providing details, Dr. Mohsin Ali Shah stated that the total population of the Bagh district is 405,964, with 67,540 children under the age of five. To carry out the vaccination plan, 412 teams have been formed, each assigned to visit households and administer polio vaccines to children.
Additionally, 58 fixed centers have been established where children arriving from the field will receive the polio vaccine.
Dr. Shah further explained that 9 transit points have been set up at important locations such as Lari Adda, Entry Points, Police Check Post Rera, DHQ Hospital Gate Gyarri Chouk, Main Lari Ada, Dheerkot Adda, Police Check Post Numanpura, Arja Bazaar Cross, Main Ada Dheerkot, and Bazaar Chaman Kot.
He emphasized that 97 area in-charges in each union council of the district will oversee the campaign. Three tehsil supervisors will also be on duty, and 32 union council medical officers will supervise teams in their respective zones. Dr. Mohsin Ali Shah assured personal oversight of the polio campaign at the district level.
Furthermore, a Polio Eradication Committee has been formed at the union council level, comprising Lady Health Supervisors, health department officials, mosque imams, patwaris, and teachers. Dr. Shah highlighted the polio-free status of Azad Kashmir for the past 22 years, underscoring the special attention given to residents who have migrated and settled in District Bagh from various provinces of Pakistan.
Dr. Shah concluded by announcing the establishment of a Polio Control Cell for reporting and addressing complaints. He provided the contact number 05823920089 for filing complaints and reports related to the campaign.