LARKANA:The Commissioner Larkana Division, Dr. Rasheed Masood Khan, has said that polio is a crippling disease and that collective efforts are essential to protect children from it.
He urged all officers working across Larkana Division, particularly those of the Health Department, PPHI and the Deputy Commissioners of the districts, to play an effective role in eradicating polio once and for all, ensuring that no child is missed during the polio vaccination campaign.
He expressed these views while addressing a meeting of the Divisional Task Force at his office today.
On the occasion, he issued instructions to all Deputy Commissioners of the division through a video link, directing them to monitor the vaccination teams during the campaign.
He also instructed them to ensure that Medical Officers and PPHI personnel posted in every Union Council facilitate the teams in visiting households, administering polio drops to children and compiling proper reports.
He further stressed the need for strict monitoring of Union Council Monitoring Officers (UCMOs) in their respective areas to ensure that no child is left unvaccinated.
He added that children missed during the previous polio campaign in Shikarpur and Jacobabad must also be covered. Daily-wage workers engaged in the campaign should likewise be directed to visit households and administer polio drops to children.
The Commissioner further stated that the Sindh Government had taken all possible measures to make the province polio-free and was making maximum efforts during every campaign.
He directed that PPHI personnel, police and Medical Officers be actively involved in the campaign. Assistant Commissioners of the respective districts should also be assigned responsibilities to ensure its success.
Representatives of the World Health Organization (WHO) should monitor the vaccination teams during the campaign and submit their reports.
On the occasion, Deputy Commissioner Larkana, Tariq Manzoor Chandio, also spoke and stressed that special attention should be paid to the campaign.
He said that vaccination teams must visit households and administer polio drops to children.
He further emphasized that teams should make every possible effort to reach rural areas and ensure the successful completion of the campaign.
During the meeting, Divisional Polio Officer Dr. Azizullah gave a briefing and stated that the next polio campaign would be held from November 2 to 5, 2026. Approximately 10,667 teams would participate, along with Medical Officers from 326 Union Councils. Area In-charges would also be deployed to monitor the campaign.