KARACHI, Jan 12: The WHO representative, Dr Parviz Vazirian, says the government is doing its best to eradicate polio from Sindh, but there is still a need for more consolidated efforts and cooperation of the community to root out the disease.

Speaking at a ceremony held at the Pakistan Coast Guards (PCG) Headquarters on Wednesday, he said there was a big responsibility on parents to get anti-polio vaccine administered to their children below five.

"It has been observed that parents avoid getting their new borns administered with the vaccine," he said. "If we do not miss even a single child during the campaign, we can eradicate polio from Pakistan. But, it is only possible with the cooperation of all segments of society," he added.

Earlier, the wife of Director General, PCG Brig Chaudhry Pervaiz stressed mothers to realize their responsibilities towards the health of children. "A child could be handicapped for life due to the mother's carelessness," she added.

Later, she administered anti-polio drops to hundreds of children of various schools at the headquarters. The Director Medical Services PCG, Dr Maj Waheed Hussain Rind, underlined the need to create awareness among the general public especially parents about the importance of polio drops. "We should initiate joint efforts to cope with this disease," he added. - PPI