World Polio Day: President, PM seek help from every quarter to combat polio

Manoon Hussain, Nawaz Sharif reiterate govt's commitment to combating polio

ISLAMABAD: As polio cases in Pakistan soar to a record 220 in a calendar year, President Mamnoon Hussain and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Friday called on all sections of the society to work with the government in combating the crippling disease.

In their separate messages on World Polio Day, both reiterated the government's commitment to eradicating the disease from the country.

The year so far has seen Pakistan record 220 cases of polio, prompting imposition of international travel restrictions which mandate that every international traveler from Pakistan carry a vaccination certificate.

“The government has devised the National Emergency Action Plan 2014 aimed at eradicating polio from Pakistan that was duly approved by Executive Committee of National Economic Council and fully funded till 2018,” Nawaz said in his statement.

The premier pointed towards the country specific, contextually designed implementation strategy and specifically solicited support from prominent religious authorities by obtaining sharia based legal pronouncements (Fatawa) in favour of the vaccination campaign, as proof of his government's efforts to eradicate the disease.

"I call this opportunity to exhort all parents and caregivers to play their part by helping the government in reaching every child for oral polio vaccination so that our future generations grow physically healthy and free of polio.

"I can assure that we are undertaking suitable measures to curb the current trend and I am confident that we possess adequate capacity to reverse it and soon make Pakistan polio free. We owe this to our people, our children and the world community."

President Hussain too pointed towards the hectic efforts of the government and its commitment to pursuing a zero-tolerance policy towards polio eradication campaign in the face of extreme challenges.

"It is a matter of great concern for us that despite hectic efforts, poliovirus is still being reported in some parts of the country and continues to threaten the future of our children," the President said in his statement.

He added that the ongoing fight against terrorism, militant activities and law and order situation were some of the major reasons that have impeded efforts to reach out to all the children especially in the tribal areas, far-flung areas of Balochistan and some other pockets.

"I take this opportunity to call upon international community to be fair and objective in its analysis of the existing situation in the country. Being a shared concern, the international community needs to assist us and complement our efforts in dealing with this daunting challenge.

"On this day, I also call upon civil society, religious leaders, media and people from all walks of life to play even greater role towards creating awareness against polio, complementing government efforts and facilitating polio teams to reach out to each and every child in every nook and corner of the country."