National Assembly passes anti-polio resolution
The resolution was tabled by Minister of State for National Health Service Saira Afzal Tarrar.
ISLAMABAD (Web Desk) - National Assembly has unanimously passed a resolution on Tuesday demanding that polio immunization programme may be implemented vigorously to make the country polio free as early as possible, the Radio Pakistan reported.
The resolution moved by Minister of State for National Health Service Saira Afzal Tarrar said all members of the National Assembly should monitor anti-polio drive in their respective constituencies.
Earlier winding up debate on the polio eradication, the minister assured that federal government will extend full cooperation to the provincial governments in the fight against this crippling virus.
She said the federal government is in contact with the international partners as well as a summary has been forwarded to the prime minister to get a supplementary grant for the polio eradication programme.
She, however, said that responsibility rests with the provincial governments to provide security to the polio workers. She pointed out that there are no polio cases in Punjab and Balochistan but these are on the rise in Khyber Pakhtunkhawa.
Saira Afzal Tarrar clarified that the travel advisory of World Health Organization are only recommendations and not restrictions. She said polio is a national issue and the parliamentarians should play their role in the anti polio campaign by monitoring the anti polio drive in their respective constituencies.
Holding discussion on the polio eradication campaign, the members called upon the federal and provincial governments to chalk out an effective policy to fight this crippling virus.
They said the polio cases are damaging image of the country in the outside world and there is a dire need to undertake serious efforts to purge the country of polio.
The members said religious scholars should be taken on board to remove suspicions and doubts surrounding the anti-polio drops. They emphasized the need for introducing necessary legislation to ensure immunization of children against polio and other diseases.
Highlighting the risks to the lives of polio workers, the members said anti polio campaign will not achieve success without removing concerns of polio workers regarding security and better salary package.
