Rotary International News carries a news item “Pakistan moves to end polio in the face of conflict” reported by Dan Nixon on 27 May 2009.

The article makes a particular note of the anti-polio efforts despite the unrest in the country, and quotes the following remarks from World Health Organisation:

• As of 19 May, nine immunization teams had vaccinated almost 17,900 children under age five on the three main transit routes out of the conflict zone.
• More than 87,000 displaced people are living in 26 camps in the province. Mobile teams have gone tent to tent to immunize 6,890 children and are deployed at registration points to vaccinate newcomers.
• Almost 870,000 people — about 90 percent of the total displaced population — have registered as living with relatives or friends. Immunization teams are being trained to cover communities hosting displaced families to ensure that the children are vaccinated against polio and receive vitamin A supplements during National Immunization Days (NIDs) 28-30 May. Subnational Immunization Days are scheduled for 22-24 June.

Featured in the news is IPDG Aziz Memon, participating in a walk against polio in Karachi on 21 May alongwith other Rotarians from Rotary Club of Karachi and their friends. The walk was led by Nasreen Jalil, the deputy mayor of Karachi.

Please click here to read the original news.

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