RECORDER REPORT

PESHAWAR: Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) FATA Secretariat, in collaboration with UNICEF, organized a day-long training workshop on “Reporting Polio” for health reporters from various media outlets belonging to Peshawar region, in Abbottabad.

The purpose of the workshop was to train the journalists on reporting polio porgramme and related activities as well as highlighting the importance of vaccinating every child and discuss vaccine safety.

Deputy Director Administration Dr Ishaq inaugurated the training workshop. In his opening remarks he said media has played an important role in creating awareness about importance of polio vaccination in FATA. He said “we as a nation have already set precedence by contributing in the eradication of small pox and we are determined to eradicate polio from FATA.” He praised the enthusiasm of participating journalists and said it shows their willingness to contribute positively in achieving this national cause of polio eradication.

Provincial Polio Eradication Officer of WHO Dr Irfan Elahi conducted session on polio - poliomyelitis, its types, structure and transmission, countries where polio exists, progress made in FATA so far and need for eradication. He said, “we need to understand significance of vaccinating every child in every polio campaign so that polio is eradicated otherwise ultimately it would be our children who would be at risk and they might lose the opportunity to live an active life like other children.”

Health Officer UNICEF Dr Abdul Qayum conducted session on frequently asked questions (FAQs) related to polio, polio programme and vaccination. He explained the mechanism of maintaining cold chain system and informed the participants that cold chain is maintained from factory to the child. He showed vaccine carrier, ice packs and vaccine vials to the participants.