‘Punjab leading efforts against polio’

Khawaja Salman Rafique said Pakistan’s immunisation drive against polio had picked up over the last two years

LAHORE:

“Efforts for eradication of polio over the last two years are being appreciated by the international community,” Chief Minister’s Adviser on Health Khawaja Salman Rafique said on Saturday.

He was addressing a seminar in connection with World Polio Day. The seminar was organised by Rotary International.

Rafique said Rotary International had provided containers at permanent transit points at routes linking Punjab with other provinces. He said its volunteers were could be found in the most remote corners of the province.

He said Pakistan’s immunisation drive against polio had picked up over the last two years.

“The Punjab has been leading the efforts through innovations like e-vaccs set up by the PITB,” he said. He said Punjab’s routine immunisation had 74 per cent coverage. “The government has set a target of 80 per cent for this year,” he added.  Rotary’s National Chair of Polio Plus Committee Aziz Memon spoke on the challenges faced by volunteers.  Rotary’s district governor Sajid Bhatti highlighted the contribution of volunteers in high-risk districts. He said polio awareness sessions had been organised to sensitise the public about it.  He said World Polio Day was observed on October 24 to commemorate the fight against polio. He said efforts of Jonas Salk, an American virologist developed a vaccine against poliomyelitis, should be remembered on this occasion. 

Published in The Express Tribune, November 1^st, 2015.