DC urges saving new generation from polio

DC says polio teams will be deployed at each hospital


Our Correspondent February 26, 2019
PHOTO: FILE

LAHORE: Lahore Division Commissioner Dr Mujtaba Piracha underscored the need for an effective awareness campaign on polio, in collaboration with the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the media.

Speaking at a meeting held on Monday, Piracha said it was decided to provide the polio vaccine to private medical units and hospitals to widen the scope of the campaign. He said two drops of the polio vaccine were mandatory for every child in each campaign to save them from permanent disability.

Dr Piracha highlighted that a massive awareness campaign would be launched to cover all areas and every child to eliminate poliovirus. All hospitals will prominently display the availability of the polio vaccine, he said.
He said there would be close coordination with the Punjab Information Technology Board’s (PITB) monitoring system to curb the negligence of polio staff.

He said teams would be deployed at each hospital with a polio desk. The DC added that these officials would be ordered to contact all child specialist doctors and urge them to get involved in the coming polio campaign.

“It is our collective responsibility to save the new generation from polio, said Post Graduate Medical Institute Principal Dr Muhammad Tayyab.

He was speaking at a seminar organised under the aegis of Paediatric Department of Lahore General Hospital on Monday. An awareness walk was also held.

Dr Tayyab said that social organisations should make people realise that we can save children from polio when they are at an early age, therefore, they must be administered drops. “Only healthy citizens can play their role in nation building,” he added.

"It is our utmost responsibility to create awareness among masses to eradicate the menace of polio and avail the facility of free of charge polio drops for our kids at the right time," said Dr Tayyab.

Lahore General Hospital Medical Superintendent Dr Mahmud Salahuddin said that there is a dire need to understand the severity of polio as it can cause long-term disability and problems for the affected family.

A large number of doctors, nurses, paramedics, medical students and representatives of social organisations took part in the walk. Pamphlets and brochures were also distributed among the participants.

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