ISLAMABAD: All political parties should think beyond party politics and not use the Polio Eradication Programme for political point scoring, said Senator Ayesha Raza Farooq, who was the prime minister’s focal person for polio eradication till she resigned a few days ago.

Ms Farooq suggested that the new government continue the policies of the former government to ensure the polio virus is completely eradicated and so the gains made in the last government are not lost.

She said a competent person who can lead from the front should be appointed the new focal person.

Outgoing focal person says new govt should follow policies of previous setup

Pakistan is one of the three countries where polio cases are still being reported.

The Independent Monitoring Board, which works on behalf of international donor agencies and issues reports regarding the performance of countries every six months, in Nov 2012 recommended that travel restriction should be imposed on Pakistan, which was implemented on May 5, 2014.

Now it is mandatory for all those travelling out of the country to be vaccinated in order to avoid the odds of transporting the virus to other countries.

Though Pakistan has shown great progress, travel restrictions will only be lifted after the complete eradication of the virus.

As many as 306 polio cases were reported in 2014 and 54 in 2015. In the year 2016, 20 cases were reported and eight in 2017. Three cases have been reported so far in the current year.

Talking to Dawn, Ms Farooq said she decided to resign as it would be appropriate if the new premier appointed a focal person of his choice.

“However, I suggest the new focal person should be allowed to work freely just like [former prime minister Nawaz Sharif] allowed me to work without interference. The new focal person should think beyond party lines and the programme should be run on merit,” she said.

In a letter to the co-chair of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Bill Gates, Ms Farooq has said there was an epidemic-like situation in 2013 but the key to success was the element of “togetherness” in addressing key challenges with dedication and resolve.

“We would not have achieved what we have without your organization’s support and most importantly, your individualized touch to these efforts. The turnaround in Pakistan has hinged on four key areas i.e. government commitment at all levels and across political parties, establishment of a dynamic network of Emergency Operations Centres at national and provincial levels pursuing ‘one team under one roof’ approach, valiant support by law enforcement agencies ensuring access to previously inaccessible children and consistent levels of funding both by government and partners,” the letter, available with Dawn, says.

“I have accordingly stepped down from the position of prime minister’s focal person with an absolute confidence that the highest level political support to the programme will continue through another dynamic focal person assigned by the incoming prime minister. While acknowledging and appreciating your partnership and friendship during my tenure, I expect same levels of commitment and support from your organization to my successor as well,” she has said in the letter.

In a letter to the Pakistani polio team, Ms Farooq said the leadership of National Coordinator Dr Rana Safdar has inspired the entire team to work with unflinching commitment, sincerity and dedication for the betterment of the nation.

“In my time with the Pakistan Polio Eradication Initiative, the team faced many challenges and collectively struggled in the face of uncertainty and insecurity in order to ensure that Pakistan’s children are safeguarded against the deadly poliovirus. Today, the progress we have made is indisputable, and we should all be very proud of how far we have come together. Most importantly, we must all recognize that our journey has been nothing short of remarkable and inspirational,” she said in the letter.

Published in Dawn, August 6th, 2018