Quetta: Deputy Commissioner Quetta, Lieutenant (R) Saad bin Asad, led a crucial meeting of the District Polio Eradication Committee (DPEC) to finalize the security and operational details for the anti-polio campaign set to commence on September 10, 2024. The meeting focused on enhancing the campaign’s reach and effectiveness following a critical evaluation of past efforts.

According to Directorate General Public Relation – Govt of Balochistan, the session reviewed comprehensive plans to ensure all children in Quetta are immunized. Key participants included the Assistant Commissioner City, officials from Sariab, President Kuchlak, and various health officers who discussed strategies to address previous shortcomings and strengthen future campaigns.

A significant directive from the meeting was the involvement of police lady constables in the campaign, providing added security to teams administering polio drops. In a notable enforcement measure, families refusing vaccination will face legal consequences, including possible arrest, highlighting the administration’s commitment to comprehensive public health.

Furthermore, the meeting outlined a proactive approach to managing resistance to vaccination, with assistant commissioners and magistrates set to conduct door-to-door visits ahead of the campaign’s start. This is part of a broader initiative to ensure no child is left behind, especially in sensitive areas where compliance has historically been low.

Deputy Commissioner Asad emphasized the critical role of community cooperation, calling on parents, educators, and religious leaders to promote awareness and participation in the vaccination effort. He stressed that community involvement is essential for the total eradication of polio and maintaining public health safety.