ISLAMABAD, Jan 10: The government and World Health Organisation (WHO) have agreed to further enhance cooperation in education and health sectors with special emphasis on polio eradication.The disease still poses a serious threat to the children as the number of polio cases reported in 2008 stood at an alarming figure of 118. Recognising the significance of the situation, the WHO has committed itself to provide all kinds of technical assistance and mobilise development partners to provide resources in order to make Pakistan a polio free country.

This was stated by Regional Director WHO Dr Hussein A. Gezairy here on Saturday, while speaking at a press conference. Minister of State for Health Chaudhary Muhammad Afzal Sandu was also present on the occasion.

Dr Gezairy urged the need for a strong resolution on the part of government for hitting the polio virus with full force for which he suggested strengthening of the routine immunisation and redoubling the efforts in this regard.

Identifying the areas where routine immunisation cover is weak, he said the children of Swat and tribal areas remain difficult to reach for the polio teams as misconception existed among the clerics regarding the immunisation.

He said their attitude was creating a hurdle in the drive, adding that the polio immunisation was an accepted in the Muslim world, including Saudi Arabia.

He further said the WHO was extending all possible technical assistance to government for the forthcoming national health policy that, he added, would ensure “health for all” through a system which is efficient, equitable and effective to ensure acceptable, accessible and affordable health services.

An essential package of health services that shall emanate from the proposed health policy will provide the desired universal coverage and access to healthcare supported by effective planning, robust implementation, community participation and monitoring and evaluation of these services, he maintained.

The Pakistani government at the highest executive level has shown commitment to eradicate polio from the country, said the minister on the occasion, adding “we have set for ourselves the target to achieve 90 per cent routine immunisation coverage”.

Achieving this level of coverage will be the foundation to eradicate polio, he added.

The other health sector programmes to be covered under the extended cooperation are TB control, prevention and control of hepatitis, health emergency preparedness and response, and primary healthcare.

Keeping in view the huge burden of hepatitis B and C virus infections, the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Hepatitis is being strengthened to focus on behaviour change, early detection, and encouraging research in cost effective treatment, he said.

The minister said hepatitis-B vaccination is now a part of the EPI to ensure that all newborns are immunised against the virus. During the deliberations between the WHO and Ministry of Health, both sides agreed to jointly take a lead role in mobilising national and international partners’ support to reduce the burden of the disease by scaling up interventions that include greater EPI coverage for the Hepatitis-B vaccine, screening and testing of blood, implementation and maintenance of infection control practices, and creating awareness and behaviour change among the general public and healthcare workers, the meeting was informed.

The government also assured full commitment to achieving Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) related to the health.

Earlier, in a meeting of Dr Gezairy with Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani, the WHO regional director was informed that the prime minister would soon launch an action plan for polio eradication.