DERA ISMAIL KHAN: Adviser to Prime Minister on Health Dr Faisal Sultan has said that poliovirus is about to be eradicated completely in the country.

Addressing a jirga of journalists at Circuit House during his visit to Dera Ismail Khan on Thursday, he said that no polio case was reported during the last one year but there were still effects of poliovirus in the environment. All resources were being utilised for its complete elimination, he added.

“All parents should vaccinate their children up to the age of five during anti-polio campaigns so that any child cannot be infected with the virus,” said Dr Faisal.

He said that the residents of the areas having a tendency of migration could cause spread of the virus. He said that the entire world succeeded in defeating polio except two countries and unfortunately Pakistan was one of them.

“We are close to eradicating polio. The government is already taking steps to address the legitimate demands and grievances of the people, so do not make these demands conditional with anti-polio vaccinations as anti-polio vaccines are also in public interest,” said Dr Faisal.

He said that vaccination could protect children from various deadly diseases. “The issuance of health cards is a silent revolution and its usefulness will be known in a short time. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa already has a health card treatment facility for which the provincial government deserves tribute,” he added.

About coronavirus, Dr Faisal said that people should get vaccinated as soon as possible as the new variant of the virus was spreading in the country.

Commissioner Amir Latif, provincial coordinator emergency operation centre Abdul Basit and regional leaders also addressed the jirga and highlighted the importance of polio eradication and the benefits of vaccination.

The national coordinator of emergency operation centre, Dr Shehzad, the regional police officer, Shaukat Abbas, MPA Mahmood Bettani, deputy commissioners and additional deputy commissioners of different districts of the division, chairman of local peace committee, former MPA Abdul Haleem Qasuria, public representatives, local leaders, journalists and dignitaries also attended the function.

Published in Dawn, January 28th, 2022