ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: Acting President Mian Raza Rabbani on Tuesday said the total number of polio cases had been substantively reduced in the country and efforts were afoot to completely eradicate this menace.
The Acting President stated this in a meeting with a delegation of Rotary International representatives of ‘End Polio Now’ Campaign led by International Polio Plus Committee Chairman Michael K. McGovern here at the Aiwan-e-Sadr.
The Acting President said Pakistan looked forward to greater collaboration with Rotary for achieving the zero figure to mark total elimination of polio.
He assured Rotary International of total commitment and sustained efforts from the federal and provincial governments to completely eliminate the polio.
Raza Rabbani said Zarb-e-Azb Operation had helped to extend the outreach of polio eradication campaign due to which additional 600,000 children had been administered polio drops.
He said it was heartening to learn the successes achieved in FATA in controlling polio virus.
He paid tribute to the polio health workers and their unshakable commitment despite loss of lives of their staffers.
Mian Raza Rabbani noted with appreciation that the law and order situation in Pakistan had now significantly improved and visit of the Rotary delegation would enable them to witness the improved security situation in Pakistan.
He thanked Rotary International for supporting Pakistan’s cause at international forums and hoped that collaboration would grow further between Pakistan and Rotary to achieve desired goals.
International Polio Plus Committee Chairman Michael K. McGovern briefed the Acting President about the programs and activities of Rotary International.
He said the organization was supporting Pakistan government not only for eradication of polio but also in increasing literacy and providing clean drinking water to the people.
He informed the Acting President that Rotary International, besides providing vaccines, was also providing coolers, refrigerators and umbrellas and setting up health camps for the benefit of the people.
