Adviser to Chief Minister on Health Khwaja Salman Rafique said on Friday the government had been doing its best to eradicate polio.
He was talking to Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Country Coordinator Waqar Ajmal at the Civil Secretariat.
Health Secretary Jawad Rafique Malik, Bill and Malinda Gates Foundation Provincial Coordinator Aslam Chaudhry and Extended Programme on Immunisation Director Munir Ahmed were also present.
The adviser said no province could fight polio in isolation; joint efforts were needed to end the menace.
Ajmal said the Punjab made 52 per cent of the country’s population. Of more than 200 polio cases reported in Pakistan, he said, only three cases were detected in the province.
He said Pakistan had attracted global attention on account of the polio situation.
“If the virus is not eradicated, it will affect investment and economic activities in the country. Problems of overseas Pakistanis will also be multiplied,” Ajmal said.
“Better liaison among the provinces is important for polio eradication. Countries like Nigeria are close to becoming polio-free… why can’t Pakistan achieve this landmark?”
Earlier, the secretary briefed the participants about steps taken to fight polio. He highlighted training of polio teams and a monitoring mechanism.
The adviser told Ajmal the Health Department was finalising standard operating procedures, on the pattern of dengue control measures, to overcome the disease. He said government departments and related agencies would be taken on board for the purpose.
Rafique said a special campaign would be launched in November – the low transmission season of polio. He said the Punjab Information Technology Board (PITB) would prepare a dashboard giving information about polio. Android phones would be given to vaccinators to make the anti-polio drive more effective.
The adviser said the political parties were united in the fight against polio.
Ajmal said the Bill and Malinda Gates Foundation was striving to develop the country’s health sector. He said the foundation gave special attention to polio.
“The foundation being the largest welfare body in the world will continue to cooperation with the government in its efforts to eradicate polio and measles.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 1st, 2014.
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