Creating awareness: Walk in Chaman highlights polio threat

UNICEF representative Dr Shamullah Tarin says it is “our duty to save the children from polio.”

QUETTA: A walk was held in Qilla Abdullah in Chaman district of Balochistan on Saturday to create awareness about polio among the masses. The walk was organized by the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF in collaboration with the district government.

The walk started from the district headquarters hospital and participants held placards and banners inscribed with messages for parents with regard to the crippling disease. Representatives of political parties, government officials, health workers, notables and students took part in the walk.

Speaking on the occasion, UNICEF representative Dr Shamullah Tarin said that it was “our duty to save the children from polio” and urged parents to administer polio drops to their children. He expressed concern over the rampant increase of polio cases in Chaman and asked people not to pay heed to unfounded misperceptions about polio drops.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 23^rd, 2011.