• The Punjab EOC issued heat-related illness guidelines for the polio eradication campaign starting June 3.
• Coordinator Khizer Afzaal emphasized prioritizing worker health and vaccine delivery.
• Six districts, including Lahore and Faisalabad, are targeted based on polio virus circulation

LAHORE – The Punjab Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) has released essential guidelines to protect workers from heat-related illnesses during the upcoming polio eradication campaign, scheduled to commence on June 3.

In directives issued to the District Health Authorities (DHAs) on Thursday, Punjab EOC Coordinator Khizer Afzaal highlighted the importance of prioritizing the health and safety of workers while ensuring the effective delivery of polio vaccines. Afzaal emphasized adjusting working hours to cooler parts of the day, such as early mornings and late afternoons, to mitigate the risks associated with high temperatures.

Key measures include ensuring that all workers have access to ample drinking water and frequent hydration breaks. Afzaal advised workers to wear light, loose-fitting, and light-colored clothing and to cover their heads to protect from direct sunlight. Regular rest breaks in shaded areas are recommended to allow workers to cool down and recover from the heat.

The EOC coordinator also stressed the importance of educating teams about the signs and symptoms of heat-related illnesses, such as dizziness, nausea, headache, and excessive sweating. In addition, maintaining the cold chain for vaccines is crucial. Afzaal noted the necessity of ensuring the availability of frozen ice packs or ice, especially in areas prone to power outages, and closely monitoring the cold chain throughout the campaign.

Community cooperation is also essential to facilitate smooth and efficient vaccination processes, Afzaal emphasized.

This polio eradication campaign comes amid increased transmission of the polio virus across the country and the onset of the high transmission season, which lasts from June to September.

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Six districts, including Lahore, Faisalabad, Rawalpindi, Multan, Mianwali, and Okara, have been included in the campaign. These districts were selected based on evidence of polio virus circulation and the movement of high-risk mobile populations.

More than 6.4 million children will be vaccinated during the campaign, which will span seven days in mega districts such as Lahore, Rawalpindi, and Faisalabad. In other districts, the campaign will last for five days.

Ensuring the safety and well-being of workers and the community is paramount as Punjab gears up for this critical public health initiative.