Ministers to lead anti-polio programme.

PESHAWAR -- Special assistant to the prime minister on national health services Dr Zafar Mirza on Friday said the federal government had decided to tasked ministers with leading anti-polio programme in the centre and provinces.

Dr Mirza told reporters at the Civil Secretariat here that necessary changes were being made to the polio eradication initiative in light of the recommendations made by a special task during a recent meeting chaired by the prime minister.

He said the task force reviewed the programme's administrative, technical, leadership and coordination aspects.

'Now, as the prime minister has issued clear directions, the ministers will lead the (anti-polio) programme at both federal and provincial levels,' he said.

Changes being made to polio eradication initiative: PM aide

The special assistant said he would chair the National Emergency Operations Centre's weekly meetings and the ministers those of the respective provincial emergency operations centres.

He said a national immunisation campaign would be carried out next month.

'We want to see Pakistan polio free in the next two to three years,' he said.

Dr Mirza said the growing polio incidence in the country had upset the government, who had planned to socially develop and provide health and other facilities to the areas, where most polio cases...