PESHAWAR: Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur here on Thursday paid rich tributes to frontline health workers for braving all odds and rendering sacrifices to eradicate polio.

Addressing a gathering of frontline health workers in Nishtar Hall in connection with World Polio Day, he said that millions of children were protected from lifelong disabilities and fatalities by timely administration of vaccine to them.

The event was organised by Emergency Operation Centre with support of United Nations Children Fund (Unicef). Adviser to Chief Minister Ihtisham Ali, Additional IGP Mohammad Ali Babakhel, Director General Health Dr Mohammad Saleem, Health Secretary Adeel Shah, Special Secretary Health Abdul Basit, Unicef’s Dr Wisam, World Health Organisation representative Dr Sarfaraz and others attended the vent.

Renewing his government’s commitment for polio eradication, the chief minister said that government was determined to stamp out the crippling virus from the region at all costs.

Gandapur lauds efforts of frontline health workers against the crippling disease

Saluting the contributions of different stakeholders for running anti-polio campaigns successfully despite multiple challenges, he said that running anti-polio drives in adverse conditions had no parallel. “However, our brave frontline health workers and law enforcers have made untiring efforts and rendered matchless sacrifices to make these campaigns a success,” he added.

The chief minister said that it was the responsibility of government to provide basic facilities to people. “The government is taking different steps for the provision of these facilities on a priority basis,” he added.

However, he said that owing to lack of facilities in any area, people should avoid boycotting polio campaign as it would directly harm the future of their children. He urged parents to get their children vaccinated against polio in each campaign to save them from lifelong disability.

Addressing the event, Ihtisham Ali said that eradication of polio was the top priority of government. He eulogised the sacrifices and services of health workers and law enforcement agencies for eradication of polio.

Speaking on the occasion, Abdul Basit highlighted the steps being taken by Emergency Operations Centre Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to eradicate diseases like polio and ensure a safer future for children.

He also highlighted the factors, which led to emergence of recent six polio cases in the province, as well as the reasons behind the frequent detection of polio-positive environmental samples in the province, the problems and difficulties being faced in controlling the circulation of polio virus as well as proposed measures and initiatives to overcome those challenges.

“Let’s observe World Polio Day with reinvigorated zeal and commitment to continue all out efforts for plugging remaining gaps hampering polio eradication from the region by ensuring essential immunisation including polio vaccination to all eligible children in the province in every campaign,” said Mr Basit.

At the conclusion of the event, chief minister distributed shields and certificates among frontline health workers based on their excellent performance in polio campaigns.

He also formally inaugurated anti-polio campaign to be launched in the province on October 28 wherein more than 7.2 million children below five years will be vaccinated against polio.

Published in Dawn, October 25th, 2024