KHAR: The local health department has finally decided to include female health workers in the anti-polio campaigns after a gap of more than four years, sources told Dawn here on Monday.

They said after the decision a number of female workers were participating in the three day anti-polio campaign launched on Monday.

The sources said the decision was taken in line with the directives of director health services Fata Dr Jawad Habib during his visit to the agency on Saturday. They said Dr Habib had shown dismay over not including female health workers in the polio drives, and ordered their immediate inclusion in the current polio campaign.

When contacted, field supervisor for anti-polio drive Dr Himayatullah Khan confirmed the decision, saying at least 31 female workers, including lady health visitors and lady health workers, were taking part in the ongoing drive.

The official said during the current drive, the female workers would perform duties in only urban areas of Khar tehsil, and they would be deployed in other parts of the region during the upcoming campaigns. He said all the female health workers were well-trained in immunisation.