ISLAMABAD: Utterly distressed by the uninterrupted transmission of poliovirus in Sindh — a province for which she proposed extraordinary measures, increased accountability and redoubling of efforts to reach all eligible children — Minister for Health Sherry Rehman advised her team here on Monday to follow out-of-the-box solutions such as the ministry’s partnership with the National Highways and Motorways Police (NH&MP) for immunisation of children in transit.

Speaking at a ceremony arranged in connection with launching of the three-day national polio immunisation and vitamin A supplementation campaign, which kicks off today (Tuesday), Sherry said the recent cases of polio in Sindh are a cause for serious concern. “I impress upon the government of Sindh to redouble their efforts towards ensuring that no child is missing during the current polio round. An intensified campaign would be required for this,” she stated.

Sherry commended NH&MP for partnering with the Ministry of Health for immunisation of traveling children, who have constituted a significant segment of missed children in campaigns of the past. “Health sector reforms top the government’s agenda,” she reiterated, and linked these reforms with achievement of the Millennium Development Goals, particularly those associated with maternal and child health.

“We haven’t had a health policy in years. The least we can do is lay down the foundation of a health delivery system that offers a safety net to the 74% population of Pakistan that lives on 2 dollars a day, and that falls into an even lower net when struck by a health issue,” Sherry articulated.

The health minister pledged provision of prosthetic limbs, as well as training and fulfillment of physiotherapy needs of all five children paralysed by polio so far this year. She said the government is in dialogue with foreign donors and is exploring the possibility of bringing in manufacturers of prosthetic limbs so that they can transfer their expertise to Pakistan. Secondly, Sherry promised free air time for NH&MP on PTV, and promised to talk to private channels into making a discounted offer, for a public awareness programme on prevention of road traffic crashes, that are a leading cause of disabilities. She said so in response to a request made by IG Motorways Riffat Pasha.

Secretary Health Khushnood Lashari, Riffat Pasha, Unicef Representative Martin Mogwanja, acting WHO Representative Dr. Rayanna Bouhaka, and national manager of the Expanded Programme on Immunisation Dr. H B Memon were also present on the occasion. The ceremony also featured two video presentations — one based on the dilemmas facing 24-year-old polio victim Shaukat and the other on PPP chairperson Benazir Bhutto’s address at the First National Polio Day and her commitment to polio eradication.

Martin Mogwanja termed the upcoming campaign — which will be the second campaign of 2008 — as being highly critical if Pakistan is to succeed in its aim of becoming the next polio-free country. “Pakistan is closest to eliminating polio. However, many challenges still stand in the way. Increased accountability and oversight by the government can make a difference,” he said, appealing for consistency of efforts to make every journey of life for every Pakistani child, safe.

Dr. Rayanna said the incidence of polio worldwide has been reduced by 99 percent. The number of countries harbouring polio cases has declined from 129 in the year 1998 to just 4 in 2008. “An estimated 5 million disabilities have been averted so far through polio immunisation,” she said. Expressing concern over the situation in Sindh, Dr. Rayyana called for a closer assessment of performance at the EDO Health level in particular.

Earlier, Dr. Memon reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to eliminating all vaccine-preventable diseases. He took pride in the fact that most of the country is polio-free. At the same time, he recommended the need to overcome the managerial and administrative issues in Sindh to bring about an improvement in campaign quality. “Poor-performing field supervisors must be held accountable,” he too stated, concluding with the optimism that like other provinces, Sindh too stands an opportunity to wipe out the crippling disease.

The ceremony concluded with the minister administering polio and vitamin A drops to children.

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Sherry Rehman administering anti-polio drops to a child at PIMS in Islamabad Monday. — Naveed Akram

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