(Pakistan Point News / Online - 31st May, 2019) Additional Chief Secretary Dr Shehzad Bangash on Friday called for accelerating efforts for polio eradication.He said polio eradication is a priority of the KP government and it will remain so until the complete elimination of polio virus from the country.He said this while addressing Provincial Polio Eradication Task Force meeting in the Cabinet Room Civil Secretariat Peshawar. .Dr Bangash said "Polio eradication is the top priority and will remain so therefore all the line departments, law enforcing agencies, commissioners and deputy commissioners have to play active role and contribute their part in successful campaigns for polio eradication in the region.
"He said "There is need for up scaling the efforts by all relevant departments, especially Information, Home and Local Government departments. He also directed commissioners and deputy commissioners to lead polio eradication activities in respective districts and fully engage staff of all relevant government departments at district level.He also directed secretary home to ensure the coordination mechanism proposed by Coordinator Emergency Operations Center (EOC) at divisional and district level before every campaign.
He also thanked national and international partners, including BMGF, WHO and UNICEF and NSTOP, for providing technical support in the fight against the polio virus.He added that polio program faces new challenges in the form of propagandas and refusals that is often exploited by miscreants. He said communication is highly specialized field and plays key role in tackling such propagandas and removing misconceptions of caregivers/parents.He directed all deputy commissioners to ensure establishment of crisis management cells during polio campaigns and lead implementation of communication activities at district level.
Coordinator EOC Dr Malik Shafi and advised for strong monitoring at district level and implementation of few but high-quality campaigns.He said focus must be at oversight, management and accountability to improve the quality of campaign for better results.WHO Team Lead Dr Abdi Hussain suggested intimating all major staff and highest leadership to support Bannu and DI Khan divisions in the upcoming case response campaign.
