Pakistan to become a polio-free country soon: Yasmin Rashid

LAHORE: Minister for Health Punjab Dr. Yasmin Rashid on Wednesday said that the government is committed to achieve the goal of “polio-free Pakistan”, ARY News reported.

Talking to Chairman of WHO’s International Polio Eradication Program Jean Marc Olive, the minister maintained that the government is steadily working to make Pakistan a polio-free country and the target would soon be achieved.

The minister expressed her concern on risk of polio in nomads saying that nomads were challenge for the country’s anti-polio drive.

“Usually nomad families move here and there and were more vulnerable to polio virus attack”. The minister told the delegation.

She said that under the polio eradication program, record of nomads has been kept and such people were particularly focused.

“During recent period no polio cases were reported in Punjab however results of few areas of Lahore and Rawalpindi was a matter of concern for us” said Yasmin Rashid.

The minister also hoped that future generations should not know even the name of polio.

Jean Marc Olive, while acknowledging initiatives by Punjab Health Department, admired in particular, efforts by Dr. Yasmin Rashid for strengthening of health sector.

“Dynamic personality like you is the guarantee of better performance by Punjab Health Department” the WHO official said.

Advisor to CM Punjab on Health Hanif Khan Pitafi and DG Health Services were also present during the meeting.