“Punjab is free of polio cases for the last three years, but as long as polio exists anywhere else, it is a threat to children everywhere”, said Minister for Primary and Secondary Healthcare Dr. Jamal Nasir in an exhibition and a certificate distribution ceremony held at Alhamra Art Gallery to mark World Polio Day.
Special Secretary Primary and Secondary Healthcare Department Mr. Muhammad Iqbal and Additional Secretary and Emergency Operations Centre Mr. Khizer Afzaal participated.
During the ceremony, the 10 best-performing polio workers were awarded certificates and shields in recognition of their services. 70 photos of renowned photojournalists were displayed during the exhibition which will continue for two days.
“Despite zero polio cases Punjab is faced with the challenge of positive environmental samples in megacities. The incidence of positive samples, however, is indicative of the fact that the surveillance system in Punjab was functional and effective”, added the minister.
Dr Nasir hailed the performance of Punjab saying it had done a good job in keeping cases to zero. The health minister cut a ribbon to mark the beginning of the exhibition.
In his statement, the Special Secretary Primary and Secondary Healthcare Department Mr Muhammad Iqbal shed light on the benefits of vaccination. “Today thousands of people in Pakistan, who would otherwise be paralysed, are able to walk – thanks to concerted polio eradication efforts”, he underlined.
Speaking on the occasion, the EOC head Mr Khizer Afzaal highlighted the need to vaccinate every child. “To end polio, we must reach every child in this challenging last mile of eradication which is within our grasp. The government is fully committed to winning this decisive round to ensure that our children will never again be afflicted by polio”, pledged Mr Khizer Iqbal.
He called on parents to resolve that “we will give no room for the poliovirus to find any sanctuary within our communities or our homes”.
The honouable minister, special secretary, and EOC head unanimously paid tributes to polio workers saying “they would like to avail this opportunity to thank hardworking polio workers who reach out to children across the length and breadth of Punjab. Their dedication has played an important role in bringing us so close to eradication”, they underlined.
During the ceremony, the participants thanked the leadership of all religious scholars, defense forces, and security personnel for showing exemplary support towards this national cause.
“This effort will bring about the eradication of the second human disease in history, and most importantly, ensure that no parent and child would have to fear the paralysis the virus causes ever again”, said the EOC head in his concluding remarks.
The themes of this year’s World Polio Day are Celebrating the untiring efforts and resilience of Polio Heroes, Promoting shared responsibility for polio eradication with priority community as key stakeholders in the cause, and Engaging partners (Public, Private, and Community) to reach the final goal: together we can, together we will.
