KALAT: The ongoing anti-polio campaign in Kalat entered its final phase, with district authorities directing health teams to conduct a comprehensive door-to-door drive on the last “catch-up day” to vaccinate every missed child. The directive was issued during a high-level review meeting chaired by Deputy Commissioner Captain (R) Jamil Baloch on Wednesday.
The online session, which assessed the campaign’s progress after three days, was attended by senior officials including Additional Deputy Commissioner Shahnawaz Baloch, DSP Manzoor Ahmed Mengal, District Health Officer (DHO) Dr. Anjum Baloch, and World Health Organization (WHO) representative Dr. Nowroz Baloch.
Officials reviewed the performance of polio teams, security arrangements provided by police and levies, and the public’s response. Monitoring officers and Chief Monitoring Officers (CMOs) presented detailed reports on field operations. While minor issues were resolved on the spot, DC Jamil Baloch instructed the District Health Officer to personally oversee any unresolved cases to ensure total coverage.
Emphasizing a zero-tolerance policy for missed children, Deputy Commissioner Baloch ordered the teams to seek out every child who was either absent or whose parents initially refused the vaccine. He stressed that this final effort is critical to building a polio-free society and achieving the district’s vaccination targets.
Also read: CM Bugti, UNICEF discuss polio eradication, education reforms in Balochistan
Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti met UNICEF Country Representative in Pakistan, Pernille Ironside, to discuss polio eradication, routine immunization, education, and health initiatives in the province.
Bugti said effective coordination would strengthen public welfare initiatives and praised UNICEF for offering technical support and staff training to build the capacity of the provincial Health Department.
He emphasized that Balochistan values international partners’ support in health and education projects. He noted that the government has intensified efforts to eradicate polio and expand immunization campaigns while introducing large-scale reforms in both sectors.
