SWAT: Commissioner Malakand Division Masood Ahmad chaired a review meeting in Saidu Sharif to assess post-campaign performance in Upper and Lower Dir and directed health officials to strengthen preparations for the next anti-polio drive scheduled in April.

The meeting, held at the Commissioner’s Office, was convened in line with directives from the Chief Secretary of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Officials reviewed vaccination coverage, field staff performance, training gaps and operational challenges to improve outcomes in the upcoming round.

Deputy Commissioner Upper Dir Naveed Akbar, Additional Deputy Commissioner (General) Lower Dir Wajid Ali Khan, District Health Officers from both districts, the WHO Area Coordinator for Malakand, District Polio Officers and other relevant officials attended the session.

According to officials, the review focused on campaign execution, vacant posts, micro-planning and administrative coordination. Participants discussed technical and logistical hurdles that affected the previous round and identified corrective measures.

Addressing the meeting, the commissioner said polio eradication is a national responsibility that requires close coordination between district health departments and the World Health Organization. He instructed officers to address identified gaps before the April campaign to ensure targets are met effectively.

Masood Ahmad directed District Health Officers to ensure strict monitoring of field teams, improved training of vaccinators, comprehensive micro-planning and timely deployment of staff, particularly in sensitive and high-risk areas.

He reaffirmed that the divisional administration would provide full administrative support and mobilize available resources to strengthen vaccination efforts and move toward a polio-free Malakand Division.