May 19, 2008

Sindh: New Polio Case in Sindh


Active ImageYet another polio case in Sindh reported this week, bringing the number of polio-affected children to eight.

Yet another polio case in Sindh reported this week, bringing the number of polio-affected children to eight.

Below is an article published by Daily Times, Pakistan:

In-charge Health Minister Sherry Rehman has taken notice of yet another polio case in Sindh reported this week, bringing the number of polio-affected children to eight, said a press release issued on Saturday.

Expressing concern over the reports, she directed the Expanded Programme for Immunisation (EPI) manager to immediately look into the issue and ensure effective implementation of the programme.

A team, comprising EPI National Programme Manager Dr HB Memon, Additional Health Secretary Imtiaz Elahi, World Health Organisation (WHO) representative to Pakistan Dr Khalif Bile Mohamud and Special Advisor to the WHO regional director Dr Wahdan, is flying to Karachi tomorrow (Monday) [19 May 2008] to probe into the matter. The team will help implement experts’ recommendation on the issue.

“Rise in polio cases is alarming, as there is resistance to immunisation campaign in Sindh,” Rehman said. The minister said it was noted that all fresh polio-affected children were not administered polio vaccine sufficiently.

She said, “We have been told that there is issue of management in health delivery system of the province with specific reference to polio. This is a cause of concern since it reflects weakness in implementation area of the EPI.” The minister assured the provinces of the federal government’s co-operation in meeting the target of utter eradication of polio.

“If the EPI was followed up by the federal and provincial authorities, the disease would have been eliminated by now,” she said. Rehman emphasised that a system of proper screening and efficient selection of polio teams be strictly enforced to put the EPI into practice effectively.

“There is also a need to redesign and implement the communication strategy of the campaign since it’s clear that communication is one of the weak areas of the programme,” she said. Each individual attached with the EPI needs to be sensitised on its significance, she said, adding, the government was committed to carrying out the programme seriously and responsibly.

A polio-free Pakistan was the vision of later premier Benazir Bhutto, who had launched this programme in 1994, she said, adding, it was their responsibility to ensure absolute exclusion of polio from the country in the years to come.