Peshawar – A high-level meeting, chaired by the Chief Secretary of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Shahab Ali Shah, was held to review measures for polio eradication in the province. The meeting emphasized urgent and coordinated actions to eliminate the poliovirus completely.
The meeting was attended by the Secretary of Health, representatives of law enforcement agencies, the Coordinator of the Provincial Emergency Operations Center (EOC), the Special Secretary of Health, officials from the National EOC, international partners, commissioners, regional police officers, deputy commissioners, and district health officers, who participated via video link.
During the meeting, 276 union councils in the province were declared high-risk areas for polio. A comprehensive action plan was approved to address the challenges faced in these areas through special campaigns and effective measures.
Furthermore, the meeting discussed the monitoring mechanism for polio eradication activities, including a review of the live dashboard of the Performance Reforms and Management Unit (PRMU). Officials also briefed the Chief Secretary on the polio vaccination campaign set to commence in April.
The Chief Secretary directed all deputy commissioners to conduct a thorough assessment of polio-related challenges in their respective districts and propose effective solutions. He stressed that “emergency measures, responsibility, and accountability” are key principles for the complete eradication of polio.
He further stated that with better planning and collective efforts, the eradication of the virus must be ensured.