‘Integrated system needed to tackle polio’

SAPM on Health Dr Zafar Mirza says it is vital to ensure availability of services to people while tackling epidemic

ISLAMABAD: With over 128 cases of wild poliovirus infections reported across the country last year, the country requires an integrated approach to eliminate the crippling disease. It is also vital to ensure availability of services to people while tackling the epidemic.

This was stated by the Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) on Health Dr Zafar Mirza while addressing a consultative workshop to evaluate interventions that could be taken to eradicate polio.

The health ministry, in partnership with the Disease Control Priorities (DCP3) Secretariat, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the World Bank and the World Health Organisation (WHO) organised the workshop to review the polio situation in 40 ‘super high-risk’ polio-endemic union councils of the country and to plan an integrated package of services. 

Published in The Express Tribune, January 7^th, 2020.