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MIRPUR, Oct 11 (APP):A nationwide polio-eradication drive has kicked off in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), targeting over 742,500 children under five years old across the region.
The campaign, which began on October 13, aims to immunize children against the crippling disease through a collaborative effort between the State Health Department and the World Health Organization (WHO) on Saturday, citing the sources of Health Department, AJK.
According to the details, the AJK State Health Department has made elaborate arrangements, deploying over 4,000 mobile teams of paramedical staff to visit door-to-door and administer polio vaccine drops.
Additionally, 448 fixed centers have been set up at local government hospitals and subordinate health facilities, providing easily accessible vaccination points for parents.
A central polio control room has also been established in Muzaffarabad to monitor the drive and receive complaints.
In Mirpur district alone, 76,656 children under five will receive the polio vaccine.
Deputy Commissioner Yasir Riaz Chaudhry inaugurated the drive, emphasizing the importance of cooperation from parents.
District Health Officer Dr Fida Hussain, while exclusively talking to APP, highlighted that over 431 mobile teams will visit door-to-door, while 41 fixed centers and 14 transit points will be set up to administer the vaccine.
AJK has remained polio-free for the past 25 years, with no reported cases of the disease. The State Health Department’s efforts, supported by WHO, have contributed significantly to this achievement.