Zubair Qureshi
An AFP (Acute Flaccid Paralysis) Surveillance orientation session was organized by Directorate of Health Services CDA/MCI Dr Irshad Ali Jokhio at the CDA Medical Center G-7 for Lady Health Workers of Urban Sector Areas of Islamabad.
Surveillance is one of the main pillars of the polio eradication initiative and by testing stool samples collected from children suffering from acute flaccid paralysis–the clearest symptom of the virus – as well as samples taken from sewage water, the medical personnel are able to find the poliovirus wherever it is hiding.The LHWs were briefed and sensitized on AFP surveillance, stool sampling of reported AFP cases and their follow up in communities.
The session was jointly facilitated by Dr Rehan Baig DSO (WHO) & Dr Sara Aslam DSC (CDA/MCI) at CDA Medical Center G-7. In his interaction with the trainees, Dr Irshad Ali Jokhio emphasized on frequent sessions of health care providers who are set to visit different localities and will have access to each and every house.
They can provide effective information to the residents of Islamabad on various public health issues.
Pakistan’s polio surveillance system is one of the largest ever established in the world.
