Rotary International acknowledges Pakistan’s success against polio

WASHINGTON, Mar 02 (SABAH): International PolioPlus Committee of Rotary International has acknowledged Pakistan’s success against Polio saying that no new case has surfaced in the country in past five months.

“From an alarming number of cases last year to no new cases in past five (05) months is indeed a huge achievement,” said Michael K. McGovern, Chair International PolioPlus Committee during his meeting with Pakistan’s Ambassador to the United State Sardar Muhammad Masood Khan.

“The Government of Pakistan, the Prime Minister and other leadership has manifested commendable commitment in the fight against polio,” Michael K. McGovern said.

Briefing the Ambassador about the work of the organization, Chair International PolioPlus Committee said that the organization was working closely with Ministry of National Health Services Regulations and Coordination and provincial health departments in its mission to eradicate polio from the country. He said that 3,000 Rotarians were assisting the government in Pakistan to overcome the challenge of crippling disease.

Ambassador Masood Khan thanked Rotary International for its valuable assistance to the country towards polio eradication. “The crippling disease threatens the future of Pakistan and therefore its complete eradication has remained a foremost priority for all successive governments in Pakistan,” Masood Khan said.

“We owe this success to our health professionals, polio workers and law-enforcement personnel who covered every inch of the country and reached out to every children with a missionary zeal, undeterred by plethora of challenges,” he said.

“Besides our frontline warriors against the disease, every section of society has been lending support to the cause,” he said.

Masood Khan, on the occasion, also thanked US government, philanthropist organizations and other which continue to assist and complement government’s efforts towards eliminating the disabling disease. “We will not lower our guards and there will be no let-up in our fight against polio,” said Pakistan’s Ambassador to the United States.