LAHORE: Participants of a seminar called for a movement against polio on the pattern of the dengue campaign for its complete eradication from Pakistan.

The seminar was organised by the Emergency Operations Centre of Punjab for polio eradication at a local hotel. It was attended by people from all walks of life, including representatives of Pakistan Medical Association, Pakistan Paediatric Association, ulema from all schools of thought, teachers and journalists.

Speaking on the occasion, Health Services Director General Dr Munir Ahmad stated that emergence of a polio case in the provincial capital had strengthened the government’s resolve and brought various stakeholders even closer.

“We have the human resource and the will to defeat this crippling disease in 2019 with the support of the civil society,” Dr Ahmad said reassuring the audience.

Lahore Deputy Commissioner Saleha Saeed said she was deeply saddened by the incidence of polio in Lahore. “Whenever I see a polio-affected child in Lahore I feel disappointed because it is something that we could have prevented,” she said.

She also expressed displeasure over consistent positive environmental samples in Lahore. “Until all environmental samples are negative in Lahore we should fight the virus like we are at war,” Ms Saeed said.

She used the opportunity to dispel misconceptions about the polio vaccine, which she assured the audience was “completely safe and should be administered to all children under the age of five”.

The DC instructed all private school association representatives to conduct a brief discussion on polio eradication every day in their schools. “Instead of waiting for the team to come to your home, I urge parents that they should reach health facilities to get their children vaccinated,” she asserted.

Published in Dawn, March 23rd, 2019