President Dr. Arif Alvi has said that all out efforts must be made to eradicate the fatal malady of Polio from the country and to make Pakistan a Polio Free Country.

He was speaking during a presentation by Prime Minister's Focal Person on Polio Eradication, Babar bin Atta, at Aiwan-e-Sadr, Islamabad on Tuesday.

The President said we must work collectively to overcome community resistance, build awareness and risk perception of the virus, and to build stronger healthcare systems across Pakistan to eradicate Polio from the country.

He underscored that Polio Eradication is one of the Government's top priorities and all measures should be taken to eliminate polio from the country.

The PMFP informed the meeting that keeping in view the significant rise in number of polio cases in the country, the Government, in collaboration with all provinces, has doubled its efforts to curb the spread of this fatal virus.

The President underlined the need for effective use of social media as well as cable TV to make people aware about the consequences of this fatal disease.

He also urged all the stakeholders to involve the political representatives of the respective areas, where the cases are mostly reported, to play their role in convincing people for administering polio drops to the children.

The meeting was attended by all the health partners including UNICEF, WHO, Rotary Club and Melinda Gates Foundation.

Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Health, Dr. Zafar Mirza, and provincial chief secretaries were also present on the occasion.

Iqbal/Zunera