Islamabad, November 25, 2014: Prime Minister’s Focal Person on Polio while chairing the National Steering Committee meeting today, stressed the stakeholders and partners to effectively utilize the current low transmission season to arrest poliovirus transmission in the country. “Cabinet Committee of Immunization will be convened soon to review the security apparatus in place to conduct secured campaigns in the country”, apprised Ms. AyeshaRaza Farooq to the participants of the meeting. PM Polio Focal Person also expressed her concern over attack on the polio teams in Charsadda during the first day of campaign. The meeting was attended by Secretary Health, DG, Health, other officials and development partners.

Ayesha Raza Farooq while talking to the participants stressed upon the finalization of operational plans of low transmission season to be implemented in true letter and spirit. “There is dire need to improve the reporting and data collection mechanism of the provincial and district polio control rooms so that the performance should be monitored”, termed Ms. Farooq.

Prime Minister’s Polio Focal Person also appreciated the support of the Pakistan Army in provision of secured access of polio teams in the security compromised areas.  The National Steering Committee also reviewed the vaccine stocks, management and availability of the vaccine for the current low transmission season. Thestatus of phased Introduction of IPV was also presented to the committee members while the updates on the current communication plan was also shared with the members to highlight the importance of the low transmission season in arresting poliovirus transmission across the country.

Secretary MoNHSRC while speaking to the participants stressed upon the need of the meaningful engagement with religious leaders. Support of the religious leaders should be translated at the ground level and community religious elders should also be involved in the process. “A comprehensive program of involving religious elders at UCs level is being chalked out for high risk UCs of the country to deal with the refusals, apprised Secretary,MoNHSRC to the participants.