Public health: Student volunteers sought for polio drive

4 new cases of polio reported in the Punjab.

LAHORE:

Punjab University’s Al Razi Hall on Thursday hosted the first in the series of four awareness seminars on routine polio immunisation against the backdrop of four polio cases reported in central Punjab districts.

The seminar was presided over by Punjab University Department of Behavioural Change and Social Sciences head Amin Ejaz and health and nutrition specialist Dr Tahir Manzoor of the United Nations Children’s Fun (UNICEF).

Dr Amir Hashmi of the Punjab University Integrated Education Research department was the facilitator.



The seminars are being organised by the Punjab University in collaboration with the Health Department and the Unicef to raise awareness about child health issues among students, especially those from Balochistan, the FATA, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the Punjab.

Speaking on the occasion, Ejaz urged students to register as volunteers in vaccination campaigns all over the country.

He stressed the importance of volunteerism.

Dr Tahir Manzoor briefed students about the overall situation in the country vis-à-vis routine immunisation and polio.



“The fight against polio has taken a new turn with emergence of polio virus in central Punjab cities of Sheikhupura, Sahiwal and Toba Tek Singh. The government has declared a polio alert in the province and issued directives to health authorities to ensure 100 percent coverage in campaigns”, he said.

Dr Amir Hashmi called for a coordinated effort by all segments of society to rid the country of polio and other vaccines preventable diseases.

The remaining three seminars will be held on Friday (today), Saturday and Sunday.

With the emergence of four new polio cases in the Punjab the tally has reached six.

The total number of polio cases in Pakistan has reached 63. The FATA and KP have had 52 reported cases.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 22^nd, 2013.