PARRACHINAR, June 21: The political administration of Kurram Agency has been conducting a number of informatory programs, aimed with spreading awareness among the masses against the ills of evasion of polio vaccinations, in the agency, FRC learnt.
In this connection the local administration arranged an informatory session with the public masses here on Thursday, in the office of the Political Agent Kurram Agency where elders, officials of local administration and health department were present.
The speakers highlighted the side effects of avoiding polio vaccinations among children who are less than five years of age.
While speaking on the occasion Additional Political Agent Zafar Ul Islam stressed upon the parents to lend their cooperation with the health department in making the drive against Polio in the agency a success.
“Once the parents are against the polio-drive how others can make it successful”, said Mr. Islam.
He further elaborated that it is better to administer polio vaccines to children, below five, to avoid lifelong disability. “Polio virus is too hazardous to lively life as it leaves you disable for the whole life”.
Medical Superintendent of Kurram Agency headquarters hospital, Dr. Sabir Hussain addressed the lethal effects of the disease, its respective means of transfusion and the preventive measures.
“Polio, or poliomyelitis, is a highly contagious viral infection that can lead to paralysis, breathing problems, or even death”, said Dr Sabir.
“Polio can be classified as either symptomatic or asymptomatic. About 95% of all cases display no symptoms (asymptomatic polio), and between 4% and 8% of cases display symptoms (symptomatic polio)”, elaborated further by Dr. Sabir.
While talking about its cure he said that there is no permanent cure for polio once a person becomes infected. However preventive measures are usually administrated to prevent the person from becoming its victim.
“It is in this connection that government has been undertaking a number of anti-polio drives in FATA from time to time”, added further by Dr. Sabir.
Polio campaigns throughout the FATA and KPK have been threatened in the past but such drives in Kurram Agency presents a picture of a little success. The last drive was administered on 10 to 12 June 2013.
The drive was successful in Lower and Upper Kurram but in Central Kurram almost, according to unofficial statistics from health department, more than ten thousands children missed it due to the launched military operation.
In the past also the lower kurram which remained a subject to militancy had been deprived from polio vaccination drives.
