Polio Summit held in capital

Islamabad

Rotary International honoured Dr. Jonas Salk -- the developer of a vaccine against polio, by celebrating World Polio Day, says a press release.

Rotary Clubs at different locations celebrated Polio Day by conducing school events, workshops walks, health camps etc. Pakistan National Polio Plus Committee, Rotary International, organised a Polio Summit on World Polio Day at Serena Hotel, Islamabad. The summit was attended by all stakeholders from Government of Pakistan, WHO, Unicef, BMGF, diplomats of funding partner countries and Rotarians.The summit was chaired by Senator Ayesha Raza Farooq, Prime Minister’s Focal Person on Polio Eradication and chief guest was Chair, International Polio Plus Committee Michael K McGovern.

National Chair Aziz Memon welcomed the participants and thanked everyone for joining the summit for a common cause to make Pakistan a polio free country. He said polio cases declined and environmental samples have decreased as well as statistics on missed children have come down considerably. He also pointed out the recent polio case emerging from Sujawal, Sindh. He said the family is Pashtun and the virus transmitted from Afghanistan.

National EOC Coordinator Dr. Rana Safdar briefed the audience on polio eradication efforts in Pakistan. He highlighted that there were 306 cases in 2014, which reduced to 15 in same time period this year.

Dr. Abdireham, Team Leader, WHO expressed his views and progress of polio campaigns during the year. He said repeated SIAs, IPV Health Camps brought change in polio scenario and lowering cases numbers. He said ‘we will utilise upcoming low transmission season to end polio this year.’

Aiden O’ Leary, Team Leader, Unicef spoke about the communication strategy and highlighted the role of Front Line workers (FLW). He appreciated the strong partnership between Government and polio partners to kick out polio by year end.

Senator Ayesha Raza Farooq, Prime Minster Focal Person on polio Eradication welcomed the international Chair Polio Plus Committee Michael K. McGovern. She said World Polio Day is the day to re-commit and get rid of this crippling disease. She spoke of continuous commitment of the government with polio eradication initiative and support from all polio partners has made it possible to bring down polio cases to 15 this year and assured that ‘we will bring polio cases to zero by next year.’

A Polio jingle was played elaborating the hard work of Front Line Workers. The jingle made by PNPPC was much appreciated by all stake holders.

Chair, Rotary International’s Polio Plus Committee Michael K. McGovern expressed his confidence, that taking into account the commitment and zeal with which the various stakeholders have been working; there is a realistic hope of eradicating polio from Pakistan by interrupting transmission of polio virus by the end of this year (2016).