An event of “Polio Awareness-2022” was held at CMH Lahore Medical College on January 13th 2022, organized by the Department of Paediatrics, in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO).
Polio is a crippling infectious disease that has been successfully eradicated from all parts of the world, except Pakistan, and neighboring Afghanistan. Through the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, the WHO has been working with local stakeholders towards the eradication of polio in our country. From 147 cases in 2019, 2021 saw only one reported case of polio in Pakistan. It was thought important for our students and trainees to learn about this important health issue from the people directly involved in its eradication.
The event was well attended by Final, Fourth, and Third year MBBS students who were currently in their Paediatric clinical rotation. Post graduate trainees in the Department of Paediatrics also attended. Faculty from the Department of Paediatrics and Gynecology and Obstetrics, CMH Lahore Medical College were also present.
Dr. Qaiser Nazeer, Area Manager WHO spoke in length about the eradication efforts, obstacles, and the way forward. He engaged the students who had insightful questions. We hope that this event will lead to further events of this nature and collaboration with the WHO.
