Pakistan, Afghanistan have to fight against Polio

KARACHI: Sindh Minister for Health and Population Welfare, Dr. Azra Fazal Pechuho has said that Pakistan and Afghanistan have to fight against Polio to eradicate it from the region and for the purpose all stakeholders have to work hard.

This she said that while talking to Senior Program Officer of Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) USA Jeffrey Partridge USA here in her office on Thursday, said a statement.

On this occasion Technical Focal Person Emergency Operation Centre (EOC) Sindh Polio Dr. Ahmed Ali Shaikh and Additional Secretary Asghar Memon were also present.

She stressed the need for behavioral changes and massive social mobilization on Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI), adding that there was a dire need of social mobilization and community involvement regarding awareness on the issue.

She asked senior Program Officer BMGF USA to provide technical, consultative and financial support in establishing proper sewerage treatment plants because clean environment was the need of the hour to counter Polio virus.

Dr. Azra said that there was also a need to focus on Karachi in regarding eradication of the Polio and large scale communication strategy and awareness program could help reduce issues on EPI.

She said that permanent solutions were needed in health department and we should focus on capacity building of the staff.