LAHORE - The Punjab government has established an Emergency Operations Centre for Polio Eradication at Directorate General Health Services, while the DG Health Punjab will work as the Emergency Coordinator.
It was decided at a meeting chaired by Secretary Health Punjab Dr Ijaz Munir at Civil Secretariat on Tuesday. Additional Secretary Health (Technical) Dr Salman Shahid, DG Health Dr Zahid Pervaiz, Provincial Chief World Health Organization (WHO) Dr Obaid ul Islam, representatives of Unicef Dr Tahir Manzoor, Rotary International Saeed Shamsi, Melinda Gates Foundation Dr Aslam Ch, Director Health (EPI) Dr Munir and other concerned officers attended the meeting. Provincial Emergency Operations Centre will monitor and coordinate for ensuring achievement of the targets of National Polio Emergency Plan. This centre will also strengthen District Polio Control Rooms besides ensuring coverage of anti-polio campaigns and improving routine immunization Programme (EPI).
The Centre will collect and evaluate the data as well as monitor immunization activities. This centre will also coordinate with Provincial Health Department in collecting the data of IDPs and immunization of their children.
The officials of WHO, Unicef, Rotary International, Melinda Gates Foundation and EPI Wing Health Department will be responsible for social mobilisation.