Two health officials were suspended on Saturday when the first polio case of the year was detected in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa as poliovirus in a nine-month-old girl from District Mohmand was confirmed. KP Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Ali Amin Gandapur while taking notice has ordered an inquiry into the matter, directing the health secretary to immediately suspend the concerned district health officer and polio coordinator. The chief minister further ordered that all others responsible for the botched polio campaign in Mohmand district should also be identified. Gandapur directed that action should be taken against the concerned government officials as well as the concerned staff of the partner institutions. The chief minister instructed quality of polio campaign should be ensured in all other districts as well.

He said that no compromise will be made on the quality of polio campaign. Concerned authorities should reform themselves or get ready for punishment, Gandapur warned. The chief minister said eliminating poliovirus from the province is one of the top priorities of the present provincial government. He said the present provincial government will continue with a renewed commitment to eliminate polio virus from the province. Everyone has to play their role to eliminate polio virus from the province, Chief Minister All sections of the society including parents, teachers and scholars should support the government's efforts in this regard, Ali Amin Gandapur said. However, Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur announced free treatment for the polio-affected girl and the government also bears expenses for her upbringing.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan