LAHORE – The ongoing anti-polio campaign in Lahore, launched under the Polio-Free Vision of the Chief Minister Punjab, is progressing with steady momentum as authorities intensify efforts to ensure complete coverage of children under five years of age across the district. A review meeting on the first five days of the week-long campaign was held here on Saturday under the chairmanship of Deputy Commissioner Lahore Capt (R) Muhammad Ali Aijaz. The meeting was attended by Additional Deputy Commissioner General, Chief Executive Officer Health, all Assistant Commissioners, and District Disease Surveillance Officers. The meeting was informed that during the first five days of the ongoing drive, a total of 2,150,725 children had been administered anti-polio drops, while vaccination teams successfully reached 1,506,376 households across Lahore, ensuring extensive field coverage. Officials further noted that 450 vaccine-resistant parents were persuaded through continuous counselling efforts, resulting in the vaccination of their children. It was also shared that today marked the first “catch-up day” of the campaign, during which tracking of missed children was actively underway to ensure no child is left unvaccinated. Monitoring teams observed the overall performance of the drive and termed the coverage “satisfactory,” while stressing the need for further improvement in hard-to-reach pockets. Deputy Commissioner Capt. (R) Muhammad Ali Aijaz directed all Assistant Commissioners to ensure strict field monitoring, adding that benchmark targets must be achieved at all costs. He warned that negligence at any level would not be tolerated and accountability would be ensured in case of lapses. He further instructed all DDHOs to maintain rigorous field supervision and ensure that no child under five years of age is left without vaccination during the campaign. “The goal of administering polio drops to every eligible child will be achieved under all circumstances,” he maintained.
The DC urged citizens to actively cooperate with vaccination teams, stating that public participation was essential for the success of the drive and for achieving a polio-free society in the long run. He said that Lahore administration is fully committed to achieving the set targets and ensuring that every child is protected from the crippling disease through sustained field efforts and effective coordination among all stakeholders.