QUETTA: Representatives from all segments of society, including health officials and medical organisations, on Wednesday reiterated their resolve to make Pakistan free of polio.

The doctors at a consultative workshop promised to guide parents, highlight positive aspects of polio vaccine in addition to treating patients in hospitals and clinics.

“Polio vaccine does not contain any harmful substance as it is being sought from Indonesia, a Muslim country,” representatives of various organisations said.

Coordinator of the Emergency Polio Centre in Balochistan Rashid Razzaq, Member Technical Advisory Group Dr Iqbal Memon, Dr Thmesgon of the World Health Organisation, provincial Health Secretary Hafiz Abdul Majid, President of the Pakistan Medical Association, Quetta Zone, Dr Kaleemullah, President of the Young Doctors Association Dr Yasser Achakzai, renowned scholar Dr Ataur Rehman, Dr Bashir and others spoke at the workshop.

The speakers said the main reason for the spread of poliovirus is lack of cleanliness.

“Pakistan and Afghanistan are the only two countries in the world where poliovirus is still present, which mostly is due to negative opinions that may compel parents to refuse to vaccinate their children,” they said.

“The polio vaccine is not only safe for the children, but it has also no side effects even after getting expired,” they said.

Published in Dawn, October 10th, 2019