World Polio DayRotary and UNICEF launch Speaking Book

A STORY OF HEALTH

25th OctoberIndus Valley School, Karachi.

World Polio DayRotary and UNICEF launch Speaking Book

A STORY OF HEALTH

25th OctoberIndus Valley School, Karachi.

Pakistan National PolioPlus Newsletter

polio+polio+Volume: II/MMXIII - Issue No. 10

October 2013

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Engineer Shaukatullah launched the audio electronic Speaking Book in Urdu & Pushto on polio eradication, which was presented by Zonal Coordinator KPK CDG Rauf Rohaila, advocate, on behalf of Rotary International at Governor Houseon 24 Oct 2013, World Polio Day.

NIDs from December 02 - 04' 2013NIDs from December 02 - 04' 2013

Dear Rotary Leaders,

The 4th Islamic Conference of Health Ministers with the theme of “Better Nutrition, Better Health, and Better Ummah” was held in Jakarta, Republic of Indonesia on 22-24 October 2013 and chaired by Her Excellency Dr. Nafsiah Mboi, Minister of Health. Panel Discussions comprised of: a) Fight against Tuberculosis; b) Eradication of Malaria; c) Global Eradication of Polio; d) Ending Preventable Maternal and Child Death – Accelerating Progress for 2015 and beyond; e) Self Reliance on supply and production of pharmaceuticals including vaccines; f ) Nutrition and Stunting; g) Healthy Life Style and Non-CommunicableDiseases Control; h) OIC contribution to the post 2015 MDG document.

Salient features & recommendations of the Panel Discussions were summarized in the Resolutions adopted by the Conference. Excerpts on Healthy Life Style & Prevention and Control of Communicable diseases are as follows:

Hereby:1. Underscores the need for continuing and further strengthening national efforts for preventing and combating diseases, enhancing community awareness and support, strengthening surveillance, procuring high quality safe vaccines, securing necessary financing, and enhancing routine immunization systems;2. Reaffirms support for strong international partnerships to ensure sufficient resources to provide countries with access to science and technology to be able to design and implement appropriate interventions to prevent, control and eradicate diseases;3. Encourages the OIC Member States to further cooperate in making available adequate supply of vaccines, diagnostics and medicine through joint research and production to support immunization programs in the spirit of Islamic solidarity and dignity to achieve self-sufficiency among Member States;

Communicable diseases:4. Reaffirms the support of all OIC Member States for the goal of global polio eradication and the full implementation of the Polio Eradication and Endgame Strategic Plan 2013-18 to protect all children from life-long polio paralysis;5. Calls for sustained high-level political commitment in the polio-affected Member States, including active oversight by the Head of State, the urgent appointment of national polio focal points, and mobilization of all levels of the Government to ensure that every child is reached and immunized during every vaccination campaign, and wild poliovirus transmission is stopped by end 2014;6. Calls on polio-affected Member States that have uncontrolled poliovirus transmission, where significant numbers of children have not been accessed for immunization, for various reasons, for more than 12 months, to urgently leverage the strengths of all Ministries and all sectors of society to negotiate and secure access to children, and to provide security for frontline health workers;7. Calls upon all concerned to provide access to children for immunization against polio and other deadly diseases, prescribed by international humanitarian principles and supported by Islamic law: and calls for health initiatives to take strict action8. Welcomes the issuance of Second Declaration by the Islamic Fiqah Academy (IIFA) concerning the Obligatory Nature of Polio Vaccination as well as consensus reached at the meeting of the Islamic Scholars on polio eradication organized by EMRO in Cairo on 6-7 March 2013, that polio vaccine is safe and does not contain any haram or harmful substance and does not cause infertility.9.Calls on the IIFA and Islamic religious leaders to continue to work closely with the Global Polio Eradication Initiative and polio affected Members States, to help address challenges regarding community perceptions on vacations onthe safety and acceptance of vaccines, and to help secure access to all children for immunization.

Meeting the Director General, OIC General Secretariat at the Conference, a letter of recommendations was handed on behalf of Rotary. In response, the Director General said “We look forward to strengthening our engagement withRotary International in relation to polio eradication as well as other causes where the OIC can be of any help.”

Rotarians must continue to devise ways and measures to contain the polio virus from being transmitted.

Aziz MemonChairmanPakistan National Polio Plus Committee

Rotary and UNICEF launch Speaking Book Report by Chief Editor Polio +

Rotary International and UNICEF Pakistan, partners in the Global Polio Eradication Initiative since 1988, launched the Speaking Book titled ‘A Story of Health’ to mark World Polio Day.

The ceremony for the launch was held on October 25th in the Indus Valley School of Art & Architecture, the building renowned for its aesthetics and beauty.

A Story of Health or Sehat ki Kahani is an educational tool for community workers to engage with women, children and fathers to tell them of better sanitation and hygiene and ensure people know the importance of vaccines, in the prevention of diseases.

The Chief Guest at the ceremony was Senior Minister for Education Sindh Mr. Nisar Ahmed Khuhro.The Master of Ceremonies Zubair Anwar Bawany - UNICEF called upon PP Owais Kohari - RCK Karsaz to beginthe evening with Tilawat.

The District Governor Dr. Pir Syed Ibrahim Shah gave a regional perspective of having no polio case in Balochistan since last year with three from Sindh. He requested Rotarians for renewed efforts to eradicate polio from Pakistan just as they have been instrumental in polio eradication worldwide, taking the lead from Manila in the Philippines, which later expanded to a global initiative.

Dr. Andro Shilakadze - Chief Field Office, UNICEF Sindh, thanked Rotary for this collaboration on the book. He said UNICEF is proud to be part of this innovative initiative. He was pleased the book launch involved school children. His offered UNICEF's continued support to eradicate polio and educate Pakistan children. He commended Pakistanis for their resilience and commitment to education.

The National Chair, Polio Plus Committee Aziz Memon talked about the global collaboration amongst partners for the development and production of the speaking book. He mentioned The Speaking Books is pioneered by a Rotarian in South Carolina, USA. The book has been sponsored by Rotary International, designed in South Africa, illustrations and voice over and storyline were completed in Pakistan and finally printed in China. He said a lot of thought and creative effort has gone into producing these speaking books to reach out to Pushtun speaking communities in KPK, FATA and Karachi. The National Chair also pointed out that literacy is the first step towards polio eradication. He mentioned, Sri Lanka wiped out polio 20 years ago, because of 100% literacy level; similarly countries with high literacy have managed to eradicate polio fairly soon.

Senior Minister for Education Mr. Nisar Ahmed Khuhro lauded Rotary and UNICEF’s initiative. He wanted Rotary to provide books to the government secondary schools of Pakistan. He said education is the key to polio eradication and they must jointly work toward this goal. He also talked about Benazir Bhutto, spearheading the polio campaigns during her first tenure. Similarly he mentioned Aseefa Bhutto as the Polio Ambassador in Pakistan and her contribution to the program.

Followed by the speeches, the National Chair officially launched the Speaking Book and presented to the Chief Guest, along with Dr. Altaf Bosan - National Coordinator/Technical Focal Person, Prime Minister’s Polio Monitoring & Coordination Cell, Islamabad and PDGs. A few pages from A Story of Health were read out by Dr. Bosan to the children, who sat huddled around him in the garden, listening attentively.

A life size book on display was signed by all the participants at the ceremony. Refreshments were served to the guests and children. Children from the local school were given polio mobilization items in the form of pencils, badges and plastic mugs.

School advocacy and polio camp by RC Lahore ShaheenReport by: PP Moazzam Fareed Khan - Rotary Club of Lahore Shaheen, member PNPPC

Rotary Club Lahore Shaheen and local representatives of UNICEF held a polio camp and awareness campaign at Government Girls High School, Icchra, Lahore, Punjab. President of Rotary Club of Lahore Shaheen Rtn Tazeem Ahmed and PP / Member Pakistan National Polio Plus Committee Moazzam Fareed Khan highlighted the importance of polio vaccination and awareness for eradication of polio in schools. In their speeches, leading Muslim religious leaders Molana Ragib Naeemi of Jamia Naeemia Gari Shahu

Lahore and Mufti Abdul Karim explained the importance of giving polio vaccine to all the children under the age of five. Through tableau and dialogues, school students highlighted different aspects of polio eradication. The students represented vaccinators, parents and children. The whole tableau was very impressive and won the hearts of the audience, just like the speeches made by school children. Polio drops were given to children. Educational literatutre and social mobilization material were  distributed by teachers.

Rotary creates fun day for SOS village childrenReport by: PAG / PP Muhammad Haneef - RC Multan Chenab, member PNPPC

The children of SOS village Multan has a fun-day filled with activity and learning, when Rotarians from RC Multan Chenab visited the children to inaugurate a polio camp held at the school. The camp was inaugurated by PDG Mughis A. Sheikh and his wife. PP/PAG Muhammed Haneef administered polio drops to children under five. Rtn. Engr. Mumtaz Ahmed Khan, President / AG Ch. Zulfiqar Ahmed, IPP Dr. Naveed Ahmed, Rtns. Muhammad Asim Rajwana, Rao Muahmmad Akbar, Ch. Muhammad Farooq Secretary, Rao Jamshed Ali Khan, Major Farukh Ghumman, Ch. Mushtaq Ahmed Deputy Governor Jhang and PP Gillani actively participated. A friendly cricket match was

organied with the children of SOS school and children of Rotarians, who won the match. A tree plantation ceremony was also held as an activity for children to participate. The SOS children in return performed a tablo to entertain the guests. At the presentation ceremony, PP Muhammed Haneef addressed the children and participants to take active part to eradicate polio from Pakistan. He emphasized, that press, local community members and religious scholars must stress the importance of polio vaccine for all children under five years. Other then the distribution of polio social mobilization items, the children were also treated with dinner.

Health Camp in high risk polio district of NowsheraReport by: President Tayyaba Gul - RC Islamabad Metropolitan

A Rotary Health Camp in Khawasy Kalay, one of Nowshera's poor and backward communities with low literacy and scarce medical facilities was organized byRotary Club Islamabad Metropolitan (RCIM) . 

The camp provided an opportunity for the people to consult with experienced medical practitioners and to avail free medicines. The camp started at 9:00 am and ended at 2:30 pm. Medicine were supplied free to deserving patients. Total number of patients served in this camp were 285, including 166 females and 119 males ranging from age one month to 65 years. TheYouth Catalyst-Pakistan, a local NGO in Nowshera,provided support.

Medicines were donated by Rotary Club Islamabad Metropolitan (RCIM). Diseases diagnosed ranged from: Malaria, Allergy, Cough, Weakness, Diarrhea, Typhoid, Diabetes, Hypertension, Gastro, Hepatitis A, B and C. President RCIM and Rtn. Maleeha were present at the camp and personally conducted social mobilization sessions with the female community members resulting in immunization of 15 children. Khawasy Kalay is known for its strong resistance against polio vaccine.  This health camp proved to the community members that Rotary is not only concerned about polio alone, but about the general public health too. The camp minimizedhardened refusals who felt reassured that other diseases were being also addressed.

Anti-polio walk organized in District ShikarpurReport by: President Zulfiqar Soomro - RC Shikarpur

A walk from RBUT Hospital to Sadder Station Road Taluka & District Shikarpur was jointly organized by DHMT, Comnet and RC Shikarpur.

DHO, DO, PE & ComNet team met with District Shikarpur Rotary Club Team & briefed them of their support & active participation in the awareness walk for NID’s. PEO & DHCSO spoke about social mobilization activities in polio high risk areas. More than a hundred people participated in the walk, which included local residents, Rotarians, doctors, paramedic staff, local community and children from District Shikarpur; District Police also participated. Rotary club Shikarpur distributed T-shirts, badges, polio jackets and caps to the walkers. DHO thanked all participants for their

kind support especially Rotary Club Shikarpur. The DHMT used a megaphone to announce the next campaign dates. Participants included Dr.Khursheed Ahmed Qazi DHO, Dr.Kishoor Kumar -DO (M & PH), Dr.Raja Fahim PEO (WHO), Agha Maabood - DHCSO ComNet,  Dr.Ahsan Akbar N-STOP, President Zulfiqar Soomro - Rotary Club Shikarpur, Club Secretary A. Waheed Katbar and members -Rotary Club Shikarpur. Dr.Altaf Hussain THO Taluka, Dr.Salah u Din - DTC,  Dr. A. Qudoos - DSC,  Dr. Zulfiqar Soomro DCO(National Progm),  Dr. Abdullah Khilji -DHIS Co-Coordinator,  Medical Officers & Paramedics   RBUT Hospital and DHO office,  TSV & Vaccinators ( R B U T ) ,   C o m N e t Te a m ,     U C P W ’s & T T S P ’s , WHO, NGO’s, Save the Children Co-coordinator & WMO.

Aziz MemonChairman, Pakistan National Polio Plus Committee91 Shahrah-e-Iran, Clifton, Karachi 75600, Pakistan

Cell: +92 300 8259595, Off:+9221 35872368, 35867771-6Fax: +9221 35872364, 35870468eMail: azizkingtex@cyber.net.pk

Alina A. VisramChief Editor, Polio+

eMail: polioplus11@gmail.comwww.poliopluspakistan.org

Send club stories, queries and photographs by mail or eMail (high resolution digital images preferred). Photographs without supporting

write-up will not be published. Circulation restrictedto Rotarians and concerned organizations only.

Polio advocacy in Government Primary SchoolReport by: PP Dr. Pardeep Kumar - Rotary club of Hyderabad District 3271, member PNPPC

The District Governor 3271 Dr. Pir Syed Ebrahim Shah visited Hyderabad to participate in a school advocacy project with RC Hyderabad. The program was to create awareness in Government Primary School Kumbhar Para, District Hyderabad. Along with the DG, PresidentPP Darshan Lal Nankani, PP Dr Pardeep Kumar, Secretary Rtn  Usman Qavi, Rtns Imdad Bughio and Khalid Bughio

and other members of the club also participated.DG Pir Syed Ebrahim Shah distributed polio socialmobilization items to the students and spoke to the children on the dangers of polio in the village, and how it can be spread. He had a session with school teachers to educate children on polio and enquired about the problems faced by the school.

RC Abbotabat Valley creates awareness for the visually impairedReport by: RC Abbotabad Valley President Ansar Mehmood

The President of RC Abbotabad Valley Ansar Mehmood and Rtn.  Sardar Sajid Secretary of the Club and Rtn Zubair member, visited the Lighthouse School for Girls and Government Boys School for Blind students on September 21st and 27th respectively. The children, some borders and others day students were very curious about polio and probed

us with several questions related to the disease. Children are the best ambassadors to create awareness and these young visually impaired students were attentive and absorbed with the talk given by Rotarians.  Social mobilization items were distributed, and the children appreciated the visit by RC Abbotabad Valley.

Polio endemic countries up-date: Afghanistan 8 and Nigeria 49. (as on October 30, 2013)

Global Update Source: www.polioeradication.org

Globally

* in endemic countries

* in non-endemic countries

322

110

212

177

172

5

223

217

6

Total Cases Year-to-date 2013 Year-to-date 2012 Total in 2012*

Proposed SIAs schedule for 2013 Dates may be subject to change

NIDs December 02 - 04

Pakistan Update

511231

NSL 1NSL 1NSL 1NSL 1NSL 1

BannuMalakandMardanPeshawarKohat

8Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

3NSL 1NSL 1NSL 1

MianwaliMandi BahauddinShikarpur

3Punjab

3121

NSL 1NSL 1NSL 1

Bin Qasim TownGadap TownDadu

Sindh 4

111

4165

161

NSL 1NSL 1NSL 1NSL 1

KhyberFR BannuNorth WaziristanFR D I Khan

38FATA

Province/Region District Name Type of Wild

PoliovirusNo.

CasesTotal

DistrictsTotalCase

53Pakistan 15

Project Manager attends meeting at One Rotary Centre, USAReport by Chief Editor Polio +

Asher Ali (center), Project Manager, PNPPC with Carol Pandak (left), Director Polio Plus and Amy Young, Senior Coordinator on his right, Asher attended a two day meeting of IPPC at One Rotary Centre, Rotary InternationalsHead Office in Evanston, USA on October 16 & 17'2013.

A detail power point presentation provided insight and information clearly elaborating the intensified activities and strategies adopted in Pakistan to a)maximize the collaboration with polio partners and b) focus onstrategies to eradicate polio from Pakistan.

The current security situation was discussed in detail hampering the work of polio field workers in many of the districts across the country. Pakistan is influenced by fatwas (decree) that prohibit teams from entering North & South Waziristan in FATA. Several areas in KPK are also inaccessible as are Union Councils in Karachi. These restrictions preventsome 300,000 children from being vaccinated.

Despite challenges, strategies are devised by PNPPC to cover ground; target transient population; improve routine immunization and work with social mobilizers toreduce refusals in Quetta Block, KPK and Karachi.

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