Pakistanis pledge to support govt’s efforts

Maleeha Lodhi says great strides in last three years, from 306 cases in 2014 to 20 last year and only five this year

NEW YORK: Members of the Pakistani community from all walks of life pledged to lend their whole-hearted support to the Pakistan government's efforts to eradicate polio from the country at a well-attended event hosted by Ambassador Maleeha Lodhi, Pakistan's permanent representative to the United Nations, at her residence.

They all signed the pledge form of 'One Last Push', a non-governmental organisation (NGO) dedicated to wiping out polio. Tom Vaughan, a director of the NGO, thanked Maleeha Lodhi for organising the get-together and those who signed the pledge. He said that it reflected their commitment to eradicate the virus.

Vaughan lauded the progress made by the Pakistani government in eliminating polio, noting that there were only five cases last year. But, he added, "We need to stamp it out completely."



'One Last Push' works with the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, a worldwide partnership led by national governments and spearheaded by the World Health Organisation (WHO), United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), Rotary International and the US Centre for Disease Control, and Prevention (CDC). Dr Ijaz Ahmad, head of America-Pakistan Political Action Committee (APPAC), also praised Ambassador Lodhi for the initiative that helped raise awareness of the importance of polio eradication in Pakistan.

The Pakistani community, he said, stood behind the government's efforts to eradicate the deadly disease. Ambassador Lodhi thanked the Pakistani community for their support which would help the government in keeping up the momentum.

"We have made great strides in the last three years, from 306 cases in 2014 to 20 last year and only five reported so far this year," Ambassador Lodhi told the gathering.  "This, in no small measure, is due to sacrifices of the men and women undertaking these campaigns in Pakistan." She added, "This momentum must continue till we completely eradicate polio from our country forever. We look forward to a polio free Pakistan soon."