International partners vow support to polio eradication efforts

PESHAWAR: A representative delegation of Polio Oversight Board led by Dr. Christopher Alias called on Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Sardar Ali Amin Khan Gandapur.

Other members of the delegation included representatives from World Health Organization, UNISEF and other international partner agencies.

Various matters and initiatives related to polio eradication activities in the province, challenges being faced to this effect and future course of action were discussed in the meeting.

The participants reiterated their determination to continue their joint and integrated efforts till the complete eradication of polio virus from the province.

Expressing his views on the matter under discussion, the chief minister said that eradicating polio virus was although a big challenge but not impossible; we can eradicate this virus through concerted and collective efforts, adding that incumbent provincial government is fully committed to go all out in this regard. He maintained that his government not only acknowledged the proactive role of partner organizations in eradication of polio virus from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, but will extend its all out support to them so as to achieve the set targets in this regard.

He underlined the need for targeted approach in order to convince the parents and guardians refusing to administer anti-polio drops to their children, and added that elected public representatives, religious scholars and elders would be engaged for this purpose, with special focus on the most sensitive areas of the province.

“We can achieve the desired results positively by strengthening the mechanism of mutual consultation and coordination among local administrations and partner organizations”, he remarked.

The delegates lauded the leading role of the chief minister for making polio eradication campaigns successful in the province and assured their full support to the provincial government for this purpose.