Pakistan Polio Drive Postponed Till Next Week Due to Lack of Police Protection

Pakistan is one of the two remaining countries in the world where poliomyelitis still continues to be an endemic viral infection. A four-day drive against polio was scheduled to be launched in Pakistan's Sindh province on Wednesday, October 28, 2015. However, it had to be postponed until November 2015 due to the refusal by police to provide security to polio workers. Displeased with the police for not providing security to polio teams in and around Gulberg town, where the only polio case in the city was reported early in October 2015, Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah ordered the authorities concerned to ensure that 3,000 policemen escort the volunteers for the drive that was rescheduled for November 3, 2015.

Shah summoned the health officials involved in the campaign against the crippling virus along with senior police hierarchy to discuss the situation arising out of the unavailability of police to safeguard the four-day 'mop-up' campaign, which was planned to begin on Wednesday.

The chief minister said, "I want you to ensure security of the polio teams but also make sure that they are duly provided with lunch and transport for which funds have been provided to the project director of the polio eradication program."

Source-IANS