The latest episode of Sabawoon, flagship radio program of Center for Research and Security Studies (CRSS), focused on the status of people infected with polio in Khyber Pahtunkhwa (KP) and KP government’s plans to control and get rid of the polio virus in the region.

The key points of discussion included an overview of the current scenario of polio infected persons in KP, infection of children by polio virus, transmission of this virus from infected people, polluted environment helping spread of the virus, polio vaccination campaigns, techniques to control polio, hygiene issues giving birth to polio viruses, and refusal of polio vaccination by families in KP. Furthermore, the program discussed the plans of government and international organizations to annihilate the polio problem in the region.

The program was aired under the theme “Jarga Marrakka” (debate and council) on Monday. Dr. Akram Khan, Assistant Director of Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) Program, Peshawar(KP), participated as the studio guest in the show.

A radio report, based on the aforementioned theme of the show was made part of the program. The report shed light on prevailing situation regarding the polio vaccination in district Kohat and the hurdles faced by the polio teams in promoting their campaign.

The report stated that the KP province tops Pakistan with a total number of 18 polio cases in the year 2016. Lack of awareness among public is the major reason behind this fact. Approximately, 30,000 familes in KP (including 2,000 families in Kohat) refused to vaccinate their children against polio virus. The government has been taking action against the families who have refused the vaccination to their children and is implementing Section 3MPA as a punishment of refusal. 2016 was counted as the year to eliminate polio from Pakistan. However, Pakistan (as well as Afghanistan) is still  polio endemic country.

Live Callers on the Show:

Two callers took part in the show live and urged the government to take serious steps to eradicate the polio virus and start properly educating the masses.

Mr. Naveed Khan, a caller on the show, said: “Some news reported that 2016 is the year to eliminate polio and thus the campaign will come to an end also. What are the government plans polio cases emerging?”

Mr. Muhammad Jahangir, another caller on the show, said: “Thank you CRSS for such an incredible awareness program. The government is spending a lot of funds on polio vaccination. Instead of spending such a huge level of funds on vaccination, government should focus on public awareness to prevent the spread of polio virus.”

Dr. Akram Khan, Assistant Director EPI Program, Peshawar, KP, said: “We have launched polio vaccination campaign in 1978 and achived good results. Every year, the number of polio virus victims is decreasing due to the campaign. Though we are facing the refusal-to-vaccinate issues in many areas, we have engaged religious clerics who have helped a lot in our campaign success. We are using different mediums to educate masses.”