ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Afghanistan on Monday agreed to collectively eradicate polio virus.

The decision was made during a meeting of health ministers of both the countries in Islamabad.

Health Minister Abdul Qadir Patel said people of both the countries travel on both sides of the border so there was a need to devise a collective strategy to ensure eradication of the virus in both the countries.

“Both the countries have cordial and brotherly relations,” he said.

Polio is a highly infectious disease caused by poliovirus mainly affecting children under the age of five. It invades the nervous system, and can cause paralysis or even death. While there is no cure for polio, vaccination is the most effective way to protect children from this crippling disease. Each time a child under the age of five is vaccinated, their protection against the virus is increased.

Repeated immunisations have protected millions of children from polio, allowing almost all countries in the world to become polio free. Both countries have been facing travel restrictions due to which travellers from both countries, while travelling abroad, have to carry polio vaccination certificate.

Afghan Health Minister Qalandar Ibad said his country valued relations with Pakistan. He said that Pakistan had been establishing three hospitals in Afghanistan and 80pc construction work of all hospitals had been completed.

Published in Dawn, November 15th, 2022