World Polio Awareness Week: 'More Active Role for Parents in Polio Eradication Needed’

This article details the discussions and outcomes of a recent seminar organised by the Pakistan Medical Society (PMS), in collaboration with the Punjab Health Department, and United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF). The seminar was held in Lahore in honour of World Polio Awareness Week, and also included representatives from the World Health Organization, and prominent paediatric networks.

It was noted during the seminar that inter-sectoral collaboration between government, community health workers, non-governmental organisations, civil society activists, and religious influencers is essential to achieving polio eradication in Pakistan. According to PMS Chairman Dr. Masood Sheikh, "the objective of observing a World Polio Awareness Week was to create consciousness among the people for mobilising them to play their role in every future anti-polio campaign."

The conference concluded by welcoming new global immunisation strategy and vision, and adopting a framework for immunisation activities through to 2015 that include equity in access to vaccination and greater overall vaccination coverage.