Lifting travelling restrictions: Experts say not a single case must appear for three years
Experts said there was a lot more to be done to eliminate the crippling polio virus from the country
PHOTO: AFP
PESHAWAR:
Even if samples have tested negative for poliovirus, Pakistan still needs to ensure no cases surface in the country in three years so that travelling restrictions can be withdrawn. This was stated by health experts during a daylong session titled ‘Media engagement workshop for polio eradication initiatives’ held at a local hotel on Tuesday.
The moot was meant for journalists who report health issues, specifically poliovirus cases. Health experts stressed upon the need for journalists to not only confirm but also investigate into the causes of virus.
Need to gear up
Experts said there was a lot more to be done to eliminate the crippling virus from the country since the peak season was round the corner.
Experts stated all those involved in polio eradication campaigns must work with diligence so the virus does not surface during the next five or six months. During his address on the occasion, Expanded Program for Immunization (EPI) FATA Assistant Director Dr Ikhtiar Ali told participants health reporters must interact
with stakeholders.
“Journalists must interact or at least talk to doctors concerned before filing a story related to any health issue,” Ali said. He added the story must be investigated and causes be identified. According to Ali, suggestions on how health experts can overcome the problem also be included in the story.
Ali said earlier the tribal areas were being blamed for harbouring poliovirus. However, the relevant officials were now worried about the virus’ transfer from other areas into the tribal region. This was because not even a single case has been reported from Fata for over six months.
“Not even a single case of the crippling virus has been reported from the region since November 2015 and we can claim that we are at the end gate,” Ali said. He added the lowest number of refusal cases during the last few campaigns was reported from tribal areas.
Earlier, Unicef Fata team leader Dr Abdul Qayum Khan said while 0.3 million children had been missed during a campaign carried out in January 2014, the number had dropped down to 96,000 in December the same year.
“There are a few pockets left in Khyber, North and South Waziristan agencies since the areas are either inaccessible or operation against militants is under way,” Abdul Qayyum said. He added four out of 11 cases reported in 2016 have been genetically traced back to Afghanistan.
Dr Sarfaraz, who also spoke on the occasion, said permanent transit teams have been deployed on areas bordering tribal agencies where children not only up to five, but 10 years are administered polio drops. He added those who refused them were sent back.
“The peak season will stay for six months where we will have to work with more focus,” Sarfaraz said.
Media concurs
A journalist, Mehmood Jan Babar, said media personnel could prepare the ground work to achieve the goals.
“We have access to children, parents, those involved in eradication campaigns and even those who have been conspiring against the cause and only we can make a difference,” Jan said. He said polio survivors, their parents and family members should be made into characters of stories and their plight and suffering be highlighted so the public is aware of the issue.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 1st, 2016.
Even if samples have tested negative for poliovirus, Pakistan still needs to ensure no cases surface in the country in three years so that travelling restrictions can be withdrawn. This was stated by health experts during a daylong session titled ‘Media engagement workshop for polio eradication initiatives’ held at a local hotel on Tuesday.
The moot was meant for journalists who report health issues, specifically poliovirus cases. Health experts stressed upon the need for journalists to not only confirm but also investigate into the causes of virus.
Need to gear up
Experts said there was a lot more to be done to eliminate the crippling virus from the country since the peak season was round the corner.
Experts stated all those involved in polio eradication campaigns must work with diligence so the virus does not surface during the next five or six months. During his address on the occasion, Expanded Program for Immunization (EPI) FATA Assistant Director Dr Ikhtiar Ali told participants health reporters must interact
with stakeholders.
“Journalists must interact or at least talk to doctors concerned before filing a story related to any health issue,” Ali said. He added the story must be investigated and causes be identified. According to Ali, suggestions on how health experts can overcome the problem also be included in the story.
Ali said earlier the tribal areas were being blamed for harbouring poliovirus. However, the relevant officials were now worried about the virus’ transfer from other areas into the tribal region. This was because not even a single case has been reported from Fata for over six months.
“Not even a single case of the crippling virus has been reported from the region since November 2015 and we can claim that we are at the end gate,” Ali said. He added the lowest number of refusal cases during the last few campaigns was reported from tribal areas.
Earlier, Unicef Fata team leader Dr Abdul Qayum Khan said while 0.3 million children had been missed during a campaign carried out in January 2014, the number had dropped down to 96,000 in December the same year.
“There are a few pockets left in Khyber, North and South Waziristan agencies since the areas are either inaccessible or operation against militants is under way,” Abdul Qayyum said. He added four out of 11 cases reported in 2016 have been genetically traced back to Afghanistan.
Dr Sarfaraz, who also spoke on the occasion, said permanent transit teams have been deployed on areas bordering tribal agencies where children not only up to five, but 10 years are administered polio drops. He added those who refused them were sent back.
“The peak season will stay for six months where we will have to work with more focus,” Sarfaraz said.
Media concurs
A journalist, Mehmood Jan Babar, said media personnel could prepare the ground work to achieve the goals.
“We have access to children, parents, those involved in eradication campaigns and even those who have been conspiring against the cause and only we can make a difference,” Jan said. He said polio survivors, their parents and family members should be made into characters of stories and their plight and suffering be highlighted so the public is aware of the issue.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 1st, 2016.