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‘Poor law and order caused increase in polio cases in NWFP, FATA’

* WHO official says polio drops will be given to South Waziristan children at IDP camps

By Akhtar Amin

PESHAWAR: The NWFP Health Department on Saturday showed concern over the rise in number of polio cases in the province and Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) saying that due to law and order situation, 45 cases of the disease were reported in these areas during the current year.

“Rise in polio cases in NWFP and FATA is a matter of great concern. Routine immunisation programme should be strengthened to stop polio cases in the areas where military operation is continuing against militants,” said NWFP Director Health Services Dr Fazal Qayyum during an inauguration ceremony of three days polio campaign (November 16 to 18).

He said that in the next polio vaccination drives, poorly covered areas would be given importance and health department would ensure hundred percent administration of polio vaccine to children in these areas.

UNICEF acting chief in NWFP Dr Rafique said that in 2009, 45 polio cases have been reported in NWFP and FATA - 27 in NWFP and 18 in FATA.

Out of 27 cases, he said, 20 were reported in Swat, three in Charsadda, two in Upper Dir and one each in Kohistan and Shangla districts of the province.

Similarly, he said out of 18 cases, 14 were reported in Bajaur Agency, three in Mohmand Agency and one in North Waziristan.

WHO acting chief in NWFP Dr Sarfaraz Afridi said that few years ago, Swat and Bajaur were polio-free, but due to Taliban activities and military operations, majority of children in these areas remained from polio vaccine and so many cases were reported there.

He said polio vaccine refusal ratio had dropped up to 0.6 percent as the department overcame this hurdle in Swat, Bajaur and Mohmand.

He said that polio drops would be administered to South Waziristan children at IDPs camps in Tank and DI Khan.

Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI) NWFP Deputy Director Dr Syed Mujahid Hussain said that 5,968,038 children would be administered polio drops across the province. He said 14,214 mobile teams, 686 temporary team and 1,736 fixed teams were formed while there were 3,060 area supervisors.

He said vitamin A drops would also be administered to children during the campaign. According to 2002 national nutrition survey, 13 percent vitamin A deficiency was recorded among the children that could cause blindness and other health complications.

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