PESHAWAR, Oct 25 (APP): The Emergency Operations Center Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in collaboration with Rehman Medical Institute (RMI) and partners here on Wednesday organized a seminar on polio awareness at Auditorium Hall RMI to mark the World Anti-Polio Day.
The seminar was attended by Special Secretary Health for Polio Eradication Abdul Basit, Vice Chancellor Khyber medical University Prof. Dr. Zia ul Haq, Dean RMI Dr. Bakhtiar, President Public Health Association (PHA) Dr Saima Abid senior pediatricians, Deputy Coordinator Emergency Operations Center Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Zeeshan Khan, representatives of UNICEF, WHO, Rotary International faculty members and medical students of RMI.
In his welcome note, Special Secretary Health for Polio Eradication Abdul Basit said that Pakistan was unfortunately still grappling with polio virus while all other countries of the world including even the most backward countries of the Africa had successfully eradicated it. He said that it had now become a matter of national dignity for us to ensure the eradication of this virus at the earliest.
Referring to the key role of health professionals and medical students in polio eradication, Abdul Basit emphasized that they should take the lead in securing the future of ur children.
Eulogizing the role of frontline health workers for the national cause of polio eradication, he paid rich tributes to their sincere and selfless services and sacrifices and added that the nation takes pride in their services.
Referring to the role of youth and young students, Abdul Basit pointed out that their voice was very significant not only in creating awareness about polio eradication but in each and every walk of life and emphasized to extend their support in removing the misconceptions about polio vaccines and countering negative propaganda in this regard.
He also appreciated the services of RMI in providing quality health facilities not only to the citizens of Pakistan but also to the people of Afghanistan.
VC KMU Prof. Dr. Zia Ul Haq shed light on the significance of the World Anti-Polio Day and added that the detection of polio virus in environmental samples in Peshawar and other parts of the province necessitates regular polio vaccination.
He said that since the polio virus detected in Pakistan was linked with polio virus circulating in Afghanistan, both of these countries need to make well-coordinated efforts for its eradication once and for all.
Addressing the seminar, Dr. Shahzada Bakhtyar Zahid, Dean RMI and Head of Pediatrics Department, said that the World Anti-Polio Day should be observed to renew our commitment and resolve for the polio eradication. He said that although the government is making all possible efforts for polio eradication, however, this challenge demands collective efforts from all segments of society including medical professionals, religious scholars, media and the society, at large.
Referring to the services of frontline polio workers, he said that we as a nation should acknowledge their untiring efforts, selfless services and sacrifices for the national cause of polio eradication and securing the future of our children.
A speech competition was held at the seminar where students highlighted the significance of polio vaccination, immunization in the light of Islam, Health is Wealth, Role of youth in polio eradication. The winners of the speech competitions were awarded with cash prizes and certificates.
A question-and-answer session was held at the conclusion of the seminar in which various questions of the audience about polio disease and its vaccination were addressed by medical experts and EOC officials to their satisfaction.
It is noteworthy that World Anti-Polio Day is observed annually on October 24, 2022 to commemorate tireless efforts of polio workers and teams working to eradicate polio in the region.
Rotary International chose this day as World Anti-Polio Day to pay tribute to Jonas Silk. Dr. John Edward Salk, an American virologist and medical researcher, who developed one of the first successful polio vaccines.
APP/ash/
