ISLAMABAD: Expressing concerns over the rising cases of polio, parliamentarians reiterated the commitment to draft a document outlining actionable steps to eliminate polio and a collective pledge to work toward legislative interventions.

The Parliamentary Caucus on Child Rights (PCCR), as part of the 18th Speakers’ Conference held a national meet, “Eradicating Polio: A Collective Effort for Healthier Future” at Parliament House on Friday.

MNA Dr Nikhat Shakeel Khan said the rise of polio cases in Pakistan was a national emergency. She stressed linking vaccinations to birth and school registrations, enhancing worker safety and improving vaccine storage and funding.

She said the aim of the national meet was to foster collaboration among provinces and the federal government and to propose the nationwide adoption of ‘Pakistan’s commitment to eradicate polio’.

Stress linking vaccinations to birth and school registrations, enhancing worker safety and improving vaccine storage and funding

MNA Barrister Aqeel Malik, adviser on law and justice, provided the legislative insights and intervention for polio eradication. He highlighted the brief history of the legislation present for polio eradication and control, lauding the ‘Sindh Immunisation and Epidemic Control Act 2023’.

Coordinator to the Prime Minister on National Health Services Dr Malik Mukhtar Ahmed Bharath outlined the efforts and unwavering commitment of governments from the past three decades to the eradication of polio.

He also addressed questions raised by MNA Sofia Saeed Shah regarding the way forward to tackle the issue of lower-risk perception due to which the polio virus had emerged again.

MPA Sarah Ahmed spoke about the way forward for the legislators to ensure the eradication of polio while MPA Saadia Javed highlighted the possible efforts that can be carried out by legislators to ensure that the bordering areas of Pakistan are free of the strains of poliovirus.

Adviser to Chief Minister Balochistan Dr Rubaba Khan Buledi stated that the rise in polio cases in the province was due to inter-division migrations and the issue of sub-optimal polio vaccines.

WHO representative on Global Polio Eradication Dr Zainul Abedin Khan highlighted the broader context of global and national efforts for the eradication of polio in the WHO regions and the assistance extended.

Focal person Rotary International Polio Plus to National Emergency Operation Centre (NEOC) Nosherwan Khalil Khan briefed the participants about Rotary’s commitment and efforts in polio eradication, including setting up health camps for the under-served communities and providing social mobilisation items and advocacy efforts.

MNA Ali Mohammad Khan stressed the urgent need for involving local leadership and stakeholders for ensuring eradication of the new wave of the rise in polio cases. He said the local leadership was more informed about the ground realities and had a direct connection with their constituency so it was important to ensure their involvement and engagement.

Minister for Local Government and Rural Development, AJK, Raja Faisal Mumtaz Rathore stressed the involvement of local leadership in educating the public, especially parents of the children regarding efficacy and importance of polio vaccine.

He said Azad Jammu and Kashmir was polio free due to the collective efforts of the government, political leadership and well-informed citizenry.

Deputy Team Lead of World Health Organisation on Polio Eradication in Pakistan Dr Mohammed Soghaier briefed the participants regarding the polio eradication efforts from 1998 till 2024.

He said 64 new polio cases had emerged in Pakistan due to low-risk perception and misconceptions.

Public health and social and behavioural change specialist, Unicef, Dr Israrul Haq said there was a 90pc acceptance rate in households for polio vaccine across Pakistan.

The participants included MNAs Shahida Begum, Dr Shozia Sobia Aslam Soomro, Syeda Shehla Raza, Farah Naz Akbar, Saba Sadiq, MLA from Gilgit-Baltistan Musarrat Mohammad Ayub Wazeri, and MPAs Sarah Ahmed, Sardar Mohammad, Awais Dreshak, Saadia Javed and Ahmed Kundi.

Published in Dawn, December 21st, 2024