Pakistan is one of the four countries in world where polio still exists. In 2010 across Pakistan 140 cases of polio were detected as compared to 86 cases last year. These were the facts presented by the experts while addressing to a briefing session on "Immunisation campaign: Challenges & way forward", organised by Pakistan Institute of Legislative Development and Transparency (PILDAT) here on Friday.
Addressing on the occasion, Faisal Karim Kundi, Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly said that one could not go to FATA in near future without the help of parliamentarians. He said that parliamentarians have an important role to play in this regard.
He stressed upon the authorities to involve the parliamentarians in eradication of polio. He said that parliamentarians would be more than happy to help the health officers who visit their area. "Awareness campaign is needed and parliamentarians have an important role to play in this regard", he added.
Experts were of the opinion that parliamentarians could have played an important role in immunisation campaign and polio eradication cause. Experts gave facts that Pakistan is one of the four countries in the world where polio still exists, and Pakistan is the only country where numbers of polio cases are rising. In FATA and Interior Sindh polio cases increased in huge numbers.
Dr Altaf Bosan, National Programme Manager-Expanded Programme of Immunisation gave briefing on role of ministry of health in promoting immunisation. He said that per child vaccination cost is $24.51 and per child cost in polio campaign is $0.34. Dr Bosan said that approximately 5.8 million children and 6 million pregnant women got immunised during one year. Total coverage is reportedly 90% but we should conduct a neutral survey.
Azhar Abid Raza, Health Specialist UNICEF gave briefing on importance of immunisation campaigns and its challenges. He said that Polio campaign started in 1994. Target to reach 10 million children in 65 high risk districts was set in 2004 and 26 districts achieved elimination status in that year. In 2008-10 three special rounds of campaign held in 6 high risk districts in Punjab in which 80 to 90 % coverage is assessed.