A meeting with Honorable President of Pakistan Dr. Arif Alvi was held on Monday, June 21st, 2021 at 11.00 am at the Governor House, Karachi. The Rotary delegation included TRF Trustee, Aziz Memon, District Governor Prof. Dr. Farhan Essa, Zonal Coordinator Sindh PP Masood Bhalli, Past President Muhammad Ovais, District Rotaract Representative Iqra Sajjad and PNPPC Communications Officer Jazmine Vania.

The discussions included:

1. Polio Eradication in infants for basic amenities in High Risk areas
2. Primary Health & Education
3. Defeating COVID-19
4. Building Routine Immunization
5. Malnutrition & Infant Mortality

TRF Trustee/National Chair Aziz Memon

He spoke on the way forward for the polio eradication program; Rotary has been working for the past 43 years for this cause and has contributed US$2.5 billion worldwide. We have come a long way and it is now our final push to eradicate polio from Pakistan. COVID-19 did come our way and we managed to overcome the situation. Only one wild poliovirus 1 case has been detected from Killa Abdullah, Balochistan.

Trustee/National Chair Aziz Memon spoke of the recent visit of Dr. Chris Elias, Chair Polio Oversight Board (POB) and President of Global Grant, BMGF and a delegation of GPEI members from EMRO region visiting Pakistan to meet with Prime Minister Imran Khan and COAS, to garner support for the polio program in Pakistan. He said, the Government of Pakistan and all partners have worked relentlessly to put the polio program back on track.   

He also informed the President of the several water filtration plants and RO plants installed in many polio high-risk areas, across the country which has provided relief to the communities. 

He thanked the President of Pakistan for giving the participants time and support to improve primary health issues to improve quality of health in the country.

He said that all polio partners are working together for a noble cause to eradicate polio from Pakistan.

PP Masood Bhalli – Zonal Coordinator, Sindh

He spoke on the way forward towards the polio eradication program. He said that refusals have been less in this year but we still need to focus on some Super High-Risk Union Councils (SHRUCs) and we need to work harder in our step to eradicate polio. Refusals are still a major cause of concern in some parts of Sindh.

Past President Muhammad Ovais

PP Muhammad Ovais spoke on malnutrition and the wellbeing of ''mother and child''. He mentioned that with the help of Rotarians they have created a Trust for Malnutrition and Stunted Growth. He also emphasized the need to improve Routine Immunization in backward communities.

President suggested that Midwives and LHWs should be given training on this topic.

Prof. Dr. Farhan Essa – District Governor

The District Governor mentioned that polio frontline workers have been instrumental in creating awareness on Covid-19. He also mentioned that under the leadership of the Sindh Government the number of WPV1 cases in Sindh have declined, and the no positive environmental samples have been reported in these last few months. It may be mentioned that the last case in Sindh was confirmed 11 months back. 

District Rotaract Representative Iqra Sajjad

Rotaractors are creating awareness regarding polio through social media and awareness sessions at schools and other academic institutions. 

He appreciated the role of Rotary for focusing on different health issues in Pakistan. He said that he is fully committed to end polio and improve health-related issues in backward communities. 

In the end, the participants thanked the President for giving them the time and opportunity to discuss prevailing health concerns in Pakistan especially in Sindh.

Minutes by Jazmine Vania