Bakht Kakar pledges to make Balochistan polio free province; inaugurates drive 

QUETTA (6 AM Report): The seven-day anti-polio campaign commenced all over Balochistan province on Monday.
The Provincial Minister for Health, Bakht Muhammad Kakar formally inaugurated the immunization campaign by administering anti-polio vaccine to the children at the health center in GoR colony.
Also present on the occasion were the Coordinator of Emergency Operation Center (EOC) for polio eradication, and other concerned high ups.
Speaking on the occasion, the Minister Health said that polio is a serious issue in the province. However, efforts are continued for eradication of polio virus in the province.
He noted with concern that 21 cases of polio have been reported in the province during current year.
Bakht Muhammad Kakar on the occasion reiterated government’s resolve to make the province polio free. He mentioned that a big reason behind surge in polio cases in Balochistan is Afghanistan too.
The Minister said that there is a need to bring improvement in the polio campaign and adding he assured to work on the fault line where there it is.
He also pledged to fight against the polio virus together with religious leaders, teachers and community.
He stressed that we need to improve our water and sanitation system in this regard.
While referring the other issues being faced in the health sector, the Minister said that we are providing medicines in all hospitals of the province, however, still there is a need to work for meeting shortage of medicines in the hospitals.
He announced to set up control rooms in the hospitals to monitor availability of the medicines, and action would be taken on the complaint of their shortage.  He also said that numerous changes are being brought in the health department, and claimed improvement in three months.
Meanwhile, it was informed that the polio immunization campaign has been started in all districts of the province.
During the campaign, more than 2.65 million children would be administered anti polio vaccine. For this purpose, over 11,000 teams have been formed, it was briefed on occasion of the inauguration.
The authorities urged the parents to ensure administration of anti polio vaccine to their children below five years of age.