The World Health Organization WHO has called for united efforts to eliminate Poliomyelitis (polio) from the surface of the earth.
Addressing a seminar on ‘One Day, One Focus: Endling Polio’ at the University of Health Sciences (UHS) on Friday; WHO National Surveillance Coordinator for Polio Eradication Initiative Dr Shafiqur Rehman said 79 cases of polio reported this year as compared to 147 last year. The seminar had the collaboration of Emergency Operation Centre Punjab; to recall World Polio Day which is on October 24 every year.
“The day must serve as a reminder that now more than ever we need to have social, political and global will; to make polio the second human disease in history to be wiped from earth,” said Mr Zaheer.
“We can all be champions of polio elimination. As we join hands on the road to ending polio; we can implement strategies and innovations to reach the non-immunized children; let’s leave no child behind”, he added.
Dr Rehman admitted that 2019 had been a crisis year as far as efforts for elimination of polio is concerned. However, he added, that things are improving now.
“We must all give our best on this campaign to eliminate polio once and for all. I wish for zero polio transmission in the year to come. You all must give your full support to help us reach every child and stop this virus for good,” Dr Shafiq said.
He added that the polio communications team was using strategies routinely; to promote polio vaccines to spread information about the Covid-19 virus; including working with social media, to ensure accurate information sharing, and airing television adverts.
Whereas the government extended a national helpline (1166) originally used for polio-related calls; to now cater to the public’s need for information on Covid-19.