PESHAWAR, April 12: Polio is a fatal human disease, which also creates permanent disability. It can be wiped out through effective immunization.

These views were expressed by various experts while speaking at a seminar on polio eradication, arranged jointly for the awareness of parliamentarians, by the WHO, the UNICEF and the health department of the NWFP here on Saturday.

MNAs and MPAs from various constituencies of the province attended the seminar.

Those who spoke on the occasion, included Dr Abdul Waheed Khan, Dr Abraham, Dr Abdul Jamil, and MPAs Haji Jamshed Khan, Farhana and Zubaida.

Highlighting the nature and mode of transmission of polio, the experts said that it was an infectious disease caused by polio virus, which affects the nerves system and transmitted through contaminated food and water.

Elaborating strategy to eradicate the disease, the experts said that in many countries of the world polio had been eradicated successfully through immunization.

The experts disclosed that in Pakistan the disease has been controlled to a great extent as a result of systematic campaign.

In the year 2003, only 14 polio cases have been detected in the country out of which only four were found in the NWFP, the experts maintained. Erasing misconceptions about polio vaccine, the experts said that it was safe and has no side effects.

Stressing the need for social mobilization to eradicate the disease completely, the experts urged upon MPAs to play an active role in creating awareness about the disease in the masses.

They also appealed them to cooperate with health department to launch a joint crusade against the disease.

It was disclosed on the occasion that all arrangements for polio campaign, to be run from 15 to 17 of this month, has been finalized.

The seminar was told that necessary materials have been provided to districts while 13000 teams would participate in the campaign.—APP