DERA BABA NANAK: The Punjab State Health Department will set up four polio vaccination counter at Integrated Check Post (ICP) for Kartarpur Sahib Corridor located at Dera Baba Nanak , these views were expressed by Mr Amardeep Singh Cheema, Chairman, Punjab Health Systems Corporation.
He has visited the site on Saturday and was accompanied by Civil Surgeon Gurdaspur Dr Kishan Chand and Dr Lakhwinder Singh Athwal, Nodal Officer Health Services, 550th birth anniversary celebrations of Guru Nanak Dev ji at Dera Baba Nanak. Mr MM Singh Cheema, permanent invitee, Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee has also reviewed the arrangements being done at Dera Baba Nanak.
Chairman Mr Cheema said "The health department will ensure that every pilgrims going for Kartarpur Sahib pilgrimage will be administered polio drops before immigration check and it will be mandatory for every pilgrim irrespective of age". He said "The department will issue a stamped certificate of polio vaccination certificate to the pilgrim on the spot".
Further Mr Cheema said "The World Health Organisation has declared India as polio free nation since 2011 but WHO has reported many cases of polio in different regions of Pakistan in their previous polio related report". He said "Our main objective is to provide augment immunity to pilgrims against polio virus and to avoid transmission of polio virus to visiting pilgrims".
Nodal Officer Dr Athwal stated " Apart from polio booths, the department will set up a medical post inside the terminal equipped with all the medicine to deal with any emergency". Mr Cheema said " We will also station ambulances in the terminal to assist any ailing person".
Dr Athwal While briefing Mr cheema said necessary arrangements are being made on war footing for " 10 bedded Make shift hospital to be qestabilish in the tent city for medical assistance to the pilgrims".
He informed " A team of four specialist doctors will be working round the clock to counter any medical emergency situation".
Later Mr Cheema visited the site of make shift hospital and reviewed the health related arrangements.