Pakistan News & Features Services
The typically enlightening speech of Aziz Memon, Chairperson, Pakistan National Polio Plus Committee, was one of the highlights of the 'Polio-free Conclave 2014' which was organized by the Rotary International to commemorate India's victory over Polio.
The two-day event, reaffirming Rotary's commitment to ending polio not just in India but from all parts of the world, was held at the Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi, India, on March 29 and 30.
Besides the three endemic countries, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Nigeria, the participating countries included Bangladesh, Bhutan, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Indonesia, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Timor-Leste.
The representatives of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation as well as the top functionaries of the Rotary International were also present on the occasions along with the functionaries of other donor agencies.
The President of India, Pranab Mukherjee, was the chief guest in the inaugural session held at 12 noon on March 29 while the historic Rotary’s Polio Free Conclave concluded the following afternoon.
Aziz Memon, pursuing the mission of eradicating polio from Pakistan with missionary zeal, expressed his profound appreciation to the thousands of Rotarian volunteers for their unprecedented commitment, along with the Government of India, the polio partners and the dedication of millions of community health workers who were the implementing force in the process.
“It’s really gladdening that India is no longer a country with polio flourishing in it. The country has now completed three years without a case of polio in January 2014, earning the WHO's regional Polio-free certification,” he noted.
“India's three-year Polio-free triumph is a huge achievement for the global polio eradication initiative, spearheaded by Rotary and national governments. This milestone in India makes the global polio-free dream a step closer while boosting the fight in the remaining polio endemic countries like Pakistan and motivating the global community to support the Polio eradication endgame,” Aziz Memon remarked.
Representing the Rotarians of Pakistan in the august gathering, he shared that the Rotary family, despite the numerous challenges, continued working relentlessly with the Government of Pakistan and polio partners to optimize coverage of children in hand to reach to even the farthest regions of the country.
“We are also working closely with the tribal leaders in the FATA through moderate Ulemas and politicians who have assured us of their cooperation and support in getting the area children vaccinated,” Aziz Memon informed.
“We are determined to meeting the challenge despite the heaviest of odds. We are mobilizing all our resources in achieving the cherished goal of ours. The government is on board with us and together we are marching ahead in the right direction,” he observed.
“Rotary International is proud to see a Polio-free India. We will follow suit to make Pakistan polio-free in the near future,” he concluded while quoting the great Nelson Mandela: It always seems impossible until it is done.”
Ayesha Raza Farooq, Prime Minister of Pakistan’s Focal Person for Polio Eradication, in her earlier address, expressed similar sentiments, adding that the prevailing challenges did not deter the government and the people of Pakistan will continue to fight polio with courage and a resolute commitment.
"We have arrested the spread of the virus and restricted it to three reservoirs. Majority of cases this year and last year were from security compromised areas in the country. Most of Pakistan has been without a polio case or virus transmission for a considerable period of time," she stated.
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