DLP Report
PESHAWAR
The Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, in collaboration with UNICEF, organized a one-day roundtable with the provincial chapter of the Pakistan Pediatric Association (PPA) to develop a joint strategy for overcoming challenges in polio eradication across the province.
The session, held on Thursday, brought together 30 pediatricians and PPA cabinet members from key divisions including Peshawar, Mardan, Bannu, D.I. Khan, Swat, Kohat, Bajaur, and Abbottabad.
The session concluded with the formal signing of a **Declaration of Commitment (DoC)** by PPA, reaffirming their resolve to support the government’s efforts to eradicate poliovirus.
Chaired by Additional Secretary Health and EOC Coordinator Shafiullah Khan, the session was also attended by EOC officials, technical experts, and representatives of partner organizations. Khan emphasized that polio eradication remains a top government priority and highlighted the role of doctors in building public trust and dispelling myths around vaccines,particularly in high-risk regions like Bannu and D.I. Khan.
He noted that misinformation, especially in central and southern KP, remains a major barrier to vaccination. He called on pediatricians and healthcare professionals to leverage their influence in society to correct misconceptions and promote vaccine acceptance.
PPA-KP President Dr. Bawar Shah reiterated the association’s commitment to polio eradication and stressed the need to strengthen routine immunization to ensure long-term success. He thanked partner organizations for their continued support.
Technical experts Dr. Sardar Qaisar and Ms. Shadab Younas presented key program strategies and challenges, urging pediatricians to play a greater role in awareness campaigns and surveillance. Dr. Inuwa Yau, Team Lead UNICEF KP, commended pediatricians for their partnership and emphasized the importance of engaging community influencers, including doctors, media, and religious scholars.
The session also featured a group activity led by senior journalist Saeed Minhas to train participants as vaccine advocates and address community fatigue and misinformation. Participants offered practical suggestions to improve operations, communication, and AFP surveillance.
At the end of the session, pediatricians committed to promoting full immunization, educating caregivers, and reporting suspected cases to support surveillance. Shields and certificates were distributed among participants in recognition of their contributions.
