Punjab government enforced polio emergency in the province

Lahore: Advisor to Chief Minister Punjab on Health Khawaja Salman Rafique has said that in view of polio situation, polio emergency has been enforced in the province under which vaccination of children coming to or leaving Punjab has been made compulsory at bus stands and entry and exit points of the province. He said that transporters and owners of bus stands has assured full cooperation on this national issue.

He was addressing advocacy seminar for transporters and bus stand owners for the elimination of polio and talking to media men here today.

Secretary Transport Punjab Shaukat Ali, Director General Health Dr. Zahid Pervaiz, Incharge WHO Punjab Dr. Ubaid-ul-Islam, Dr. Aslam Chaudhry of Malinda Gates Foundation, UNICEF representatives, EDO Health Lahore Dr. Zulfiqar Ali, Health Department officers, prominent transporters of Lahore, bus stand owners and General Managers of Transport companies were also present on the occasion.

Khawaja Salman Rafique said that due to effective measures no polio case has been detected in Punjab so far but as no province can live isolation and cases of polio are being reported from other provinces, this virus can be spread to any area, therefore, condition of administration of polio drops have been imposed on Pakistanis traveling to other countries. He said that polio is an issue of all the provinces and the whole nation.

Kh. Salman Rafique said that Punjab government has ensured effective measures for polio vaccination and strict surveillance and polio drops are being administered to all children traveling by road or train. However, he said, there is necessary for other provinces to take effective measures in this regard so that polio virus could be eradicated.

Secretary Transport Punjab Shaukat Ali while addressing the meeting pointed out all entry and exits points from the province and assured that Transport Department will fully support Health Department in anti-polio campaign as well as cooperate in monitoring of polio teams.

Representing transporter organizations, General Managers of New Khan, Road Runners and Daewoo Company and office-bearers of Badami Bagh Adda Association assured their full cooperation and said that vaccination of children travelling by buses will be ensured. They further said that suitable places will also be provided for setting up a polio center while banners and boards will also be displayed. They said that facility of refrigerator will also provided at bus stands for storage of polio vaccine.

The seminar was also addressed by Director General Health Dr. Zahid Pervaiz, Dr. Aslam Chaudhry and others.