A virtual meeting on zoom was held for the Polio Orientation & Planning Workshop with Rotaractors – RID 3271 was held on Monday, 28th June 2021 at 11 am. The workshop was chaired by the The Rotary Foundation Trustee (2020-24) & National Chair, Polio plus Committee Aziz Memon in collaboration with District Governor Elect Dr. Aftab Imam (3271). The meeting was hosted by the Pakistan National Polio plus Committee for all incoming Rotary International Rotaractors.   More than 60 Rotaractors, Rotarians attended the meeting including Health Partners.

Facilitator

TRF Trustee/ National Chair Aziz Memon

Participants

Dr. Aftab Imam DG Elect

Dr. Jahanudin- UNICEF Representative

DRR Elect- Dilawar Abro

Masood Bhalli- Zonal Coordinator District 3271

Rtn. Dr.Jewat Sundar-RC Khipro Sunder

Saaed Khan-Rotaractor Sunrise Club

Asher Ali - Project Manager-PNPPC

Tazmeen Zahra- Communications-PNPPC

Jazmine Vania – Communication Officer - PNPPC                

Minutes of the Meeting:

Trustee/National Chair Aziz Memon welcomed all the participants.

DRR Elect Dilawar recited the Tilawat to open the session. TRF Aziz Memon shared the agenda of this Polio Orientation & Planning Workshop. Purpose of initiated this session to deliver the basic literature on polio program, share the overview on the

He invited Dr. Aftab Imam DG Elect to share his views.

Dr. Aftab Imam District Governor Elect

• Dr. Aftab Imam welcomed all participants and thanked the National Chair for initiating this orientation session for new incoming warriors war against Polio.
• He instructed all Rotaractors to get full advantage from this session and he hopes that Rotaractors and Rotarians will work together to End Polio Now.  
• He praised the TRF Aziz Memon supportive role and thanked ensured that all the supportive and facilitation will be provided to them in making Polio Free Pakistan

Jahanuddin- UNICEF Representative:

• He started with a PowerPoint presentation. During the Presentation he gave an overview of the last one decade and the overall progress. He discussed the declining trend in polio affected cases from all four provinces. He reported that only 1 reported during this year. He stressed upon Missed children and refusals from Parents on the basis of misconception & myths. He informed that zero doses in children are more common in Pashtoons. NA children are also a big challenge for us. He added that Urdu speaking community’s routine immunization is more common as compared to Pashtoons.
• He added Rotary is playing supportive in providing awareness kiosks for Polio vaccine, Rotarsy has already provided 12 but we need additional 42 kiosks. We are looking for voluntary involvement of rotaractors at these kiosks to educate and spread awareness of Rotary Health Camp activities also playing a vital role in improving routine immunization. He emphasized on Advocacy on Polio Eradication. He suggested that Polio awareness campaigns should be conducted at mass level e.g. Malls, Dolmen Mall Clifton and at different clubs.

Rotaractors were welcomed to ask Questions and Jahanuddin- UNICEF Representative answered these Questions/Quarries

 Asher Ali- Project Manager

• He briefed in detail about the Rotary Projects on Polio Eradication program. He informed that a total 7 resource centers are operational within Karachi. Permanent Transits Point is another big achievement which is operating nationwide. He suggested rotaractors to visit these resource centers and PTPs. Ulema Workshop is also playing a vital role in advocacy among parents to cover the refusals. Involvement of Rotaractors will help in strengthening the polio free Pakistan aim. Water Filtration plants are another intervention which improve the life styles in highly Polio risk areas. He added that Rotary Water Filtration plants are fully operational and maintained on a regular basis. Despite security threat issues we have covered Bannu, Data Khael where high ratios of NA and refusals are found. He said that rotaractors must play a facilitator role in creating awareness; he emphasized that rotaractors should actively participate in advocacy activities.

Trustee/National Chair Aziz Memon:

• The National Chair showed a Guidelines booklet on Rotary Projects for Polio Eradication. He emphasized on strengthening routine Immunization. He informed that starting from birth till the age of five years vaccination courses should be completed. On each NIDs and SNIDs Polio vaccination should be given to each child. Literature based on Polio eradication is also available and will be shared with you on request. He ensured routine immunization should be built, Rotary will facilitate the creation of an Immunization center.
• The National Chair PNPPC spoke about Malnutrition and emphasized on adopting hygienic lifestyles. He said we are not only focusing on Oral Polio Vaccination, we are facilitators for making a Healthy Family and this objective can only be achieved through organizing health camps. Ulema workshops are held everywhere in Pakistan. The Ulema Committee played an important role. Social Media should be used to clear the misconception/myths about OPV.  messages should be circulated on a frequent basis. TRF/National Chair said 51 countries eliminated Poliovirus.
• In the last he shared that we are in the final round in eliminating this virus from our country. It’s a big achievement that only 1 case is reported. He added Rotary played a vital role in making Polio Free Pakistan. Rotaractors should work along Rotarians as they are youngsters and they have much stamina and enthusiasm to End Polio Now.

Masood Bhalli- Zonal Coordinator:

He showed concern on missed children and he suggested that Rotaractors must involve Rotarians in their activities. He also said that Rotarians are always there to provide guidelines in achieving the aim of Polio Free Pakistan.

DRR-Elect Dilawar Abro:

• He thanked TRF/National Chair PNPPC Aziz Memon, DG Elect Dr. Aftab Imam for the worthy contribution and ensured that all rotaractors will work actively and effectively under the supervision of DG Elect Dr. Aftab Imam.

Suggestions:

• Dr. Aftab Imam DG–Elect suggested these sessions should be conducted on quarterly basis. TRF/National Chaired endorse this and instructed DRR-Dilawar Abro to schedule this meeting on quarterly basis along with approved agenda.
• Super High Risk Union Councils must have clubs and there should be presence of Rotaractors at areas like Northern Sindh e.g. Larkana and Makran belt, Sajawal. Rotary will provide full support in all aspects.
• TRF/The National Chair praised the leadership role of Rotarian Rizwan-Rotary Club of Khairpur and suggested that DRR-Elect Dilawar Abro must visit Khairpur and meet with him. He said guidelines on polio eradication programs should be taken from him.

Vote of Thanks:

• Jitandar Dhirani –District Joint secretary gave vote of thanks. He thanked the Trustee/ NPPC Chair and Dr. Aftab Imam DG Elect worthy participation and thanked all participants for their time and active participation in the meeting.