TAXILA: An awareness walk was arranged in Attock to mark the World Polio Day on Friday.

Deputy Commissioner Hassan Waqar Cheema, Chief Executive Officer District Health Authority Dr Jawad Ellahi, representatives from WHO, Uncief, anti-polio programme and health department and others participated in the event.

The deputy commissioner while addressing the participants said the basic purpose of the walk was to educate the general public regarding polio. He said World Polio Day gives us an opportunity to renew our pledge to work with more dedication, adding the day is not far when Pakistan will be made a polio-free country. He stated that administering a timely vaccine to children is the only way to protect our future generation from this disease. Anti-polio campaign is being carried out successfully throughout the province in collaboration with the WHO.

The health authority chief said that administering polio vaccine under EPI programme at least three to four times to children of five months old is necessary. “Polio teams besides creating awareness among masses go door to door for administering polio vaccine to the children less than the age of five years”, he added. “The World Polio Day is a reminder for all of us to ensure we deliver this precious promise to our children - a polio-free world,” he added. He was of the view that despite the pervasive challenges of Covid-19, the world is in the final stage of polio eradication.Reaching to all children with vaccines is the only thing that can make the world polio-free, and it is possible through concerted efforts of parents, caregivers and all stakeholders.

The representative of the WHO told the participants that while there is no cure for polio, vaccination is the most effective way to protect children from this crippling disease. He said that the mobilization of civil society, religious and local communities and the media is a testimony of our sincere efforts to eradicate the menace.

Published in Dawn, October 22th, 2022