Over 400,000 children inoculated on first day

PESHAWAR: The massive Sehat Ka Insaf campaign designed to curb the endemic poliovirus in Peshawar along with eight other child diseases was launched on Sunday where over 400,000 children were successfully inoculated amid unprecedented security arrangements.

The much-publicized new intervention of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) led provincial government to eliminate the poliovirus was also met by resentment from 9,000 teachers who boycotted the drive.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Health Minister Shaukat Yousafzai inaugurated the “biggest health campaign of the country” at his home constituency. He immunised a few children of Shaheen Muslim Town-I and also distributed hygiene kits among dwellers.

The minister tried to dispel the impression that “Sehat Ka Insaf” was anti-polio drive. “These drops are not just for polio. In this one drop, we have integrated vaccine for nine diseases,” he explained while talking to media.

However, health officials, when contacted, told The News that primarily it was a drive against polio, but the government opted the innovative way keeping in view the security challenges.

A health expert said there was nothing wrong with the novel idea adopted by the PTI-led provincial government. But surprising was the denial of the government which was of the view that it was not anti-polio campaign. “All media knows and those who want to disturb the drive would be fully aware of the real picture. It’s self-deception, to say the least,” he remarked.

Shaukat said the WHO report that declared Peshawar the “largest reservoir of poliovirus in the world” was not the reason for the campaign. “We had been making preparation for the drive for last three months, as the doctors associated with PTI advised us to devise a plan to reduce child mortality,” he stated.

The provincial government targeted 45 high-risk union councils of the district, mostly suburban areas as well as some parts of the city. These areas have bad sewage system as well as lack of basic health facilities. The areas are also inhabited mostly by poor people of the district.

Shaukat Yousafzai said that under the Sehat Ka Insaf, they would give vaccine and raise awareness among child-related diseases in 45 union councils. In the next phase, which would be held on Sunday, another 50 union councils would be covered while the entire district would be targeted in third phase.

However, there was also lack of clarity in the statement of the provincial minister as the health officials of the district told The News that in next phase the same high risk union councils, which were covered yesterday, would be targeted. And, the official said, on the third Sunday children of entire district would be immunised. The campaign would continue till April 21.

The government has created hype in the city by fixing panaflexes on almost every pole in the city, besides regular ads in print and electronic media.

People in the Shaheen Muslim Town-I union council, where the minister inaugurated the drive, appeared enthusiastic about the drive. Kids were seen holding the coupons given at their homes by the vaccinators and asking from people where they could claim their hygiene kits. The kit includes towel, soap, water purifying tablets, a basket and awareness brochures.

About 9,000 teachers refused to take part in the immunisation campaign. Though the government claimed that 175 teachers participated in the drive and it had made alternative arrangements by bringing the PTI Razakars or volunteers.

Malik Khalid, All Pakistan Primary Teachers Association president (APTA), while talking to the media, said that their talks with the district administration had been successful before the campaign and the government had accepted their demands of granting Shuhada (martyr) package for the teachers who died during polio vaccination campaign in the province.

Khalid said that under the compensation package, children of the deceased employees would be provided jobs and women teachers would not be sent to sensitive areas. Besides, security will be provided to teachers and they would vaccinate the children in their respective schools.

He claimed that the government agreed to their demands but didn’t fulfill them till Saturday, which compelled them to boycott the campaign.Later, briefing media at the Civil Officers Mess, the minister said the campaign was a success as they achieved the set targets.

He lauded the support provided by people of the city. “It was the first campaign where people without any fear brought their kids to get them immunised,” he said.The minister said that 1992 teams including PTI Razakars took part in the drive. He said medical camps would be established on Monday (today) in four union councils where free examination and medicine would be given to people.

Shaukat also expressed the fear of spread of dengue virus in the coming season. “To take preemptive steps, we are going to sensitise people on the virus,” he remarked.Responding to the criticism by the opposition about the campaign, he said: “We invite all the opposition parties to take part in this social cause and don’t play politics over it.”

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