PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Haji Ghulam Ali here on Tuesday highlighted the role of women workers in polio eradication and said that government was working on war footing to wipe out the crippling disease.

He was addressing as chief guest a ceremony held in Nishtar Hall to mark World Polio Day. The ceremony was organised by Unicef, World Health Organisation and Rotary International. Director General Health Dr Shoukat Ali, Peshawar Commissioner Mohammad Zubair, Deputy Commissioner Afaq Wazir, Expanded Programme on Immunisation Director Dr Arif and polio workers.

Addressing the ceremony, the governor highlighted the services of media, medical professionals, ulema, teachers and civil society in polio eradication. He said that Pakistan and Afghanistan were the focus of the world after the elimination of the crippling disease from the rest of the countries.

He said that government is working on a war footing to wipe out polio. Highlighting the sacrifices of polio workers, he said that they should be respected for their efforts rather than being targeted for a cause that would impact the future of the next generation.

The governor also distributed prises and certificates among polio workers of Dera Ismail Khan and other far-flung areas and cash prizes among heirs of polio workers, who were killed in the line of duty.

In Dera Ismail Khan, Commissioner Zafarul Islam Khattak has underlined the need for making collective efforts to eradicate polio from the country.

He was addressing a ceremony held at Gomal University on Tuesday in connection with World Polio Day. He urged youth to come forward and support the efforts to make Pakistan a polio-free country.

He also urged parents to administer polio drops to their children to protect them from the crippling disease. He also gave away certificates of appreciation to polio workers.

In Mohmand tribal district, an awareness walk was organised by health department and district administration in Ghalanai to mark the day.

The awareness walk was started from government higher secondary school Ghalnai and culminated at Mohmand Press Club.

The additional deputy commissioner, Shakeel Ahmed, the district health officer, Dr Rafiq Hayat, Rescue 1122 emergency officer Hayatullah, teachers, students and local elders participated in the walk a large number.

Dr Rafiq Hayat said on the occasion that there were currently four cases of polio in Pakistan while it was eradicated from rest of the world except Pakistan and Afghanistan. “In Pakistan, we have been running a polio campaign since 1994 and it continues till date,” he added.

He said that 932 refusal cases were reported during the last polio campaign. During the six consecutive polio campaigns, not a single case of refusal has been reported which is a big success.

“The purpose of celebrating World Polio Day is to create awareness among people so that parents give polio drops to their children,” said Dr Rafiq.

Published in Dawn, October 25th, 2023