The NWFP Minister for Health, Syed Zahir Ali Shah expressing concern over the growing number of polio cases in the province has underlined the need of revising polio eradication strategies and adopting effective communication tools to wipe out the dreadful disease from the province. Addressing the concluding session of the 4-day the International Communication review meeting held under the auspices of UNICEF here on Friday the Minister said that lack of communication was the basic factor of the failure in controlling polio in the province.
"There was need of revisiting polio eradication policy to control the dangerous disease which disables forever", he maintained. He went on to say that effective use of Fitawa (verdicts) was essential to encounter the negative propaganda against polio vaccine to educate people.
The Minister asked concerned authorities to prepare story books, dramas and stage shows about the issue to convince people about importance of polio vaccination.
The Minister suggested adopting carrot and stick policy to encourage efficient workers and discourage the negligent ones. He also assured to facilitate polio team at Torkham border. He reiterated support of the provincial government for polio eradication.