A massive campaign to eradicate measles and polio is going on in Afghanistan under a UN sponsored programme. According to the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) nearly 27,000 health workers, volunteers and community mobilizers are working across 16 provinces of Afghanistan over the past two weeks to eradicate the menace of these diseases. In the first phase of the campaign earlier this month more than 8 million children were administered anti-polio and anti-measles vaccinations. The second phase, which will start in September, will include the remaining 18 provinces of Afghanistan.

Meanwhile Afghanistan and Pakistan have agreed to collaborate in anti-polio drives in order to reach children living along the border areas of both countries. Afghanistan, Pakistan and Nigeria are the only countries in the world where polio is still an endemic desease.

Another round of pulse polio immunization campaign was launched in the national capital on Sunday in which children up to the age group of five years were administered anti-polio drops. According to the Health officials, elaborate arrangements had been made to make the drive successful. Over eight thousand booths had been set up in various parts of the city to ensure its maximum reach.

These booths were set up at metro stations, railway stations, bus stops, children parks and various public places. Around 30 thousand health workers had been deployed in this drive. Apart from that, health workers will also visit door to door in the next five days to administer anti-polio drops to those children who were left during this drive.