KARACHI, Feb 27: The Chief Minister's Adviser on Health, Noman Saigol, expressing his satisfaction that polio prevalence in Sindh was registered at 'zero' during the current year , has observed that this must not offer any source of complacency. Efforts be expedited to ensure that Pakistan is declared 'polio-free' by the end of current year, he remarked.
Addressing a meeting held here on Friday to review the polio situation in the province, he said the fact that two polio cases had been reported from the NWFP and one from Punjab this year enhanced need for all necessary care for across the board immunization of all under-five children.
He reminded the audience that during last stages of polio eradication campaigns, the concerned countries did register certain surge in the reported cases.
He added that vigilance on the part of the concerned authorities, due attention by parents and fool-proof arrangements to ensure 100 per cent vaccination coverage during three national immunization days programme set for the current year could help attain the goal.
Responding to a suggestion put forward by the WHO and Unicef representatives attending the meeting, the adviser agreed that the forthcoming rounds of NIDs, scheduled for March, would be made a high-profile activity with maximum involvement of influential quarters.
"We have to involve people holding influence on masses and a position to motivate them in the exercise," Mr Saigol said, holding out assurance on all government support for the immunization rounds conceived for the year 2004, during March-April and September-October.
Dr Imtiaz Mughal, Director of EPI Sindh, presenting data mentioned that Karachi, where 22 confirmed case of polio had been registered in 1998 and two in 2003, no case was reported this year from any part of the district, otherwise considered to be a high-risk zone.
Similarly, Thatta where seven polio cases had been reported in 2003, no case was identified during first two months of this year, he said. Larkana with five cases, Dadu with three and Jacobabad with three cases last year, were also found to be polio-free till date.
Dr Mughal said that all out efforts were being made to see that Sindh, along with all parts of the country, managed to attain the 'polio-free' status. He mentioned that against a total 99 confirmed polio cases reported in the country in 2003, three were registered this year.
He also referred to the NIDs' coverage rate in all districts of Sindh during current year. With the exception of Umerkot, where the coverage came to 96 per cent, all other districts showed 100 per cent coverage rate.
Health Secretary Ashiq Hussein Memon, speaking on the occasion, sought close coordination between his department and NGOs to ensure that no single child under-five was missed out.
Among others, the meeting was attended by DOs (Health) from across Sindh, WHO representative from Geneva, Unicef representatives and Dr Anthony Mounts. -APP