Polio Workshop on 28th July 2012
By: Fatima M. Marvi – Communications officer
A Polio workshop was held on July 28, 2012 at Sheraton Hotel Karachi. Presidents and President Elect of Rotary Clubs in Karachi were invited to attend the workshop, in a bid to enlighten them on the current polio status and the challenges faced by Pakistan.
The workshop was initiated with Tilawat followed by the polio jingle Do Boondh. The Polio District Chair DGE Dr. Pir Ebrahim Shah in his welcome address said ‘we will work hard to towards polio eradication’ and said we have appointed ‘polio coordinators’ to enhance polio monitoring and survellience. Dr.Andro Shilakadze, Chief Field Office UNICEF spoke on advocacy and creating public awareness, while Dr. Salah Tumsah, Sindh Team Leader WHO focused on the high risk districts and statistics of polio cases in Pakistan, the vulnerable areas and the obstacles we are faced with in recent times.
DG Jalal Shaikh (RI Dist 3271) said ‘eradicating polio from Pakistan is his top priority as a Governor this year’. PDG M. Faiz Kidwai (RRFC) said we are ‘This Close’ but in this period we have to redouble our efforts and energy and work extra hard to make Pakistan Polio Free. Dr. Rizwana Memon EPI Program, emphasized the role of the Government in polio eradication initiatives, Dr. Naveed Sandozai WHO (Geneva) who was visiting Pakistan shared his views on the global update. .
Cricket Celebrity Shahid Afridi met with the two polio survivors from FATA; one 15 and other 18 year of age. He greeted them warmly and shook hands with the boys and their father. Mr. Afridi said, he shared our vision and was ready to support us in this battle against polio and pledged his involvement with Rotary, when and as needed.
PDG Aziz Memon – National Chair, Pakistan Polio Plus Committee, provided an update of projects and activities undertaken by Rotary Clubs and the PolioPlus Committeee in the recent past to create widespread awareness at the National and Provincial level. The National Chair also briefed the audience on the Health Camp Booklet and urged Rotarians to make permanent immunization centres to strengthen routine immunization. He thanked the participants and speakers for their time and dedication.