ISLAMABAD: Taking note of reports indicating presence of the poliovirus in the country, Prime Minister Imran Khan on Friday reiterated that the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf government was committed to achieving a polio-free Pakistan and would take all measures for its eradication.

Chairing a meeting of the National Task Force on polio eradication on Friday at the PM Office, he said the crippling disease could jeopardise the future of children and assured the federal government’s full support in its elimination.

The meeting was attended by Minister for National Health Services Amir Mehmood Kiani, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Shah Farman, Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar, Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, Gilgit-Baltistan Chief Minister Hafiz Hafizur Rehman, Pakistan Army Engineer-in-Chief Lt Gen Muhammad Afzal, AJK Minister for Health Dr Najeeb Naqi Khan, provincial chief secretaries, Unicef country representative Aida Girma, WHO country head Dr Nima Saeed Abid, and representatives of partner organisations as well as senior officials.

Meeting was assured that army would continue to provide security for success of polio eradication campaigns

The chief ministers of Punjab, Sindh and Gilgit-Baltistan apprised the task force regarding the measures taken at provincial level for polio eradication.

The Prime Minister’s focal person on polio eradication, Babar Bin Atta, briefed the task force in detail about the prevailing situation and the future eradication strategy.

He directed that meetings of the task force needed to be held more frequently to effectively oversee the progress and to achieve zero incidence in the shortest possible time frame.

Regarding future course of action the meeting was informed that the strategy needs to be implemented at the grass-root levels with targeted awareness campaigns, countering propaganda and high level engagements with decision makers and religious scholars.

Lt Gen Muhammad Afzal said the army would continue to provide security and an enabling environment for the success of polio eradication campaigns in areas with security issues.

WHO manager Dr Christopher Maher praised the high-level presence, efforts and support of the federal and provincial governments as well as security forces for polio eradication. He also commended the integration of polio eradication programme with education, sanitation and related sectors.

The prime minister thanked the international partner agencies for their technical and financial support to the programme.

Published in Dawn, November 10th, 2018