PESHAWAR, Nov 23: Unicef country representative Martin Mawanja has said the number of polio cases reported in Pakistan has come down drastically this year.

“As per my information about 42 polio cases were reported last year in Pakistan while only 17 cases have been reported in 2007,” he said. Pakistan, he hoped, would soon be a polio-free country.

He said the Unicef was working with the government of Pakistan, the World Health Organisation and other international agencies to eliminate polio. He said it was the responsibility of every community member to work against the disease.

Mr Mawanja said Unicef was closely working with other donor agencies in quake-affected areas of Mansehra and Battagram to help the survivors. The focus, he said, was on restoration of water supply schemes, schools and health infrastructure and rehabilitation of traumatised children who had lost their parents in the October 2005 earthquake.—APP