Polio cases witnessed a 99% decline last year: Dr Niaz
By Hina Kiyani

ISLAMABAD—The representative of International Health Organization in Pakistan, Dr. Abid Niaz has said that polio has witnessed a 99% decline, globally in the previous year, and about 50 lakh children have been protected against the disease.
While talking at opening of polio eradication campaign here Saturday, he said that the standard of 4-5000 victims have been reduced to only a 29 of cases this year, however Pakistan still needs to take plenty of precautionary measures against the disease.
The event was also addressed by the Japanese ambassador, and Dr. Saeed Ahmad from directorate of health CDA.
Dr Abid said that polio is decreasing in Pakistan by magnitudes. In 1984 about 4-5000 children were inflicted by the disease, while this year only 29 have suffered.
He said, that Pakistan needs to take further steps to fight the menace, since it is among the few four states of the world, where polio has not been fully overpowered. One of the underlying reasons being that many a persons still avoid their children to partake the medicinal drops, repeatedly, which is nevertheless essential.
He said that there has been a global reduction in the disease during the past 17 years, but it not the sole responsibility of Ministry of health and requires equal and voluntary participation of parents, teachers and the entire society as well. While speaking on the occasion, the Japanese ambassador assured that his country would continue to assist Pakistan in fighting the menace of polio, besides education and health sectors.
Dr Saeed Ahmad of the CDA health Directorate also addressed the event and announced that three thousand teams, 86 centres, and 32 transit points, have been established in the Capitol City alone, where about 1, 50,000 children would be administered polio drops.
At the conclusion of the event, the Japanese ambassador awarded shields to principles of Froebels, International, City Schools, OPF, Convent, Beacon House, Maria Montessori, Angels league, Rotary International, Al-Shifa Academy, and CTM chain of schools.