SHANGLA: A first ever polio case surfaced in Dedal Kamach area of Shangla during last two decades, the virus detected to an 18 months old boy whose family living in a village along the bank of indus river.
Dedal Kamach area is connected with district Bunir and district Torghar and it is a border region of the Shangla district and most of the area people making their livings whether in Karachi or other parts of the country.
According to district coordinator extended program for immunization (EPI) Shangla, Doctor Wajid Ali Khan told Dawn that the case was reported by the locals and later it was confirmed by the EPI team.
He said, it was the first ever case reported in the district in last two decades and the case is being investigated to ascertain its cause of detection to the child.
He said the victim was identified as Ali Sher 18 son of Mayeen Khan.
District Health Officer Doctor Muhammad Riaz Khan when contacted, he told The Northern Post that the child has been confined to bed for last six months, however he was not vaccinated in routine vaccination for which he has formed a committee to probe it and get know whose fault it was.
Meanwhile, a Jirga was held at Nawy kaly dedal Kamach of Nusrat Khel union council. Local notables from various villages and police officials participated in the Jirga.
While addressing the jirga, the elders said that there is no a single denial case and every citizen is willing to vaccinate his/her child but surfacing the polio case is beyond understand.
Ibadullah Khan, a social activist said that they have always cooperated with the EPI staff in anti-polio vaccination campaigns and wanted their loved ones lives safe and protected from such deadly diseases.
He said, after surfacing the case people afraid that in case the virus spread it would detect to their children for which they are demanding prompt and timely vaccination in the area so that their children could be protected from the virus.
The participants on the occasion vowed that they would continue their support and cooperate to health department particularly to EPI in anti-polio drive for administrating child with polio drops.
