PM urges strong drive against polio

ISLAMABAD  - Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani has expressed concern over report of new polio cases in the country, and urged for a strong campaign against the disease. In his message at the launch of the three day national campaign against polio from August 19 to 21, the Prime Minister said the door to door campaign is aimed at immunising millions of children against the disease saving them from a lifelong disability, he added. He said health is the top priority of his government and access to quality health services is the fundamental right of every citizen. He said he could say with confidence that all of their policies are for the promotion of better health for all. "The national campaign against polio reminds me of the supreme objective of Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Shaheed," he said adding, "We have to complete the mission whose aim is to safeguard every child of Pakistan from disability." "On this occasion I would like to say that we all have to play our full role to turn the dream of a polio free Pakistan into reality," the PM continued. He recalled that aim of the people friendly policies of Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto and Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto was to make available the facilities of  health and education to the poor people.The Prime Minister said he came to know about some cases of polio from different parts of the country. Expressing his concern over these new cases of polio, he said he directed the health ministry, provincial health ministry and district administrations all over Pakistan to ensure that no child is left without administering of anti-polio drops. Gilani said he was concerned over the rising cases of polio in Sindh and to tackle this issue they have to overcome administrative problems faced by the international experts. He warned against any slackness at any level in the campaign against polio saying the matter concerns health of the children. He called the campaign for complete eradication of polio a great combined effort and applauded the efforts of provincial health departments which were undertaken in collaboration with institutions such as World Health Organization, UNICEF, JICA, USAID, Rotary International and others. The Prime Minister expressed the hope that these organisations would take part in the campaign wholeheartedly. He said history testifies that humans have eradicated a number of life-threatening diseases through mutual cooperation and collaboration. Pakistan rooted out measles in the decade of 1970s and Guinea Worm in the decade of 1990s which was evidence of their determination, he added. He appealed to all the parents, community leaders and public representatives to step forward and fully participate in the national campaign against polio from  August 19 to 21, 2008. He said keeping children of Pakistan healthy and fit is their top most responsibility as youngsters are their future.

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