According to sources in the district administration and the district health office, the WHO plans to reduce its staff in Hyderabad by around 70 per cent. The existing 22 union council polio officers (UCPOs), fielded in high-risk UCs, are to be replaced by just seven UCPOs from next month. In addition to the WHO, the National Emergency Operation Centre (NEOC) is also withdrawing its National Stop Transmission of Polio (NSTOP) programme officer posted at the Hyderabad division level. His duties are being handed over to the NSTOP officer currently heading the district EOC. "The district NSTOP officer also dealt with different operational issues at the UC level, besides data compilation."

Source: The Express Tribune October 19, 2020 06:11 UTC