By Ashrafuddin Pirzada
LANDIKOTAL: A community sensitization session on polio eradication was held in Landikotal on Saturday, where tribal elders, religious leaders, journalists and residents were briefed on the importance of supporting the upcoming vaccination campaign to protect children from the virus.
A large number of tribal elders, religious leaders, community influencers and residents participated to build awareness and mobilize public support for the upcoming anti-polio campaign.
The session, arranged under the District Emergency Operation Centre (DEOC) Khyber with financial support from UNICEF, aimed to strengthen trust between health authorities and local communities at a time when polio remains a persistent threat to children’s health in Pakistan.
Welcoming participants, Union Council Communication Officer Usman said the fight against polio was not the responsibility of the government or health workers alone, but a collective duty of all society members to play their due role in combating the lethal virus.
“Every child must be protected from this lifelong disability. All stakeholders must have to play a role on their part to ensure that no child is left behind unvaccinated,” Usman stressed.
Highlighting preparations for the upcoming campaign, Tehsil communication officer for district Khyber, Said Afzal Shinwari, said the polio eradication campaign would start from September 1 and would continue for one week. He said more than 0.2 million(212000) children would be vaccinated. He said a total of 945 polio vaccination teams have been finalized and would undergo comprehensive training. He added that Jirgas with refusal families were already in progress across different villages in Landikotal to address concerns and misconceptions, while extensive awareness and sensitization activities were being carried out to encourage parents to vaccinate their children. Said Afzal Shinwari specially thanked the media in Landikotal for their moral and social support in highlighting the importance of polio vaccination.
“Community ownership and active participation are the backbone of polio eradication efforts. Without the support of elders, parents and influencers, health workers cannot achieve the desired results”, Shinwari stressed.
He added that it was a fight that could only be won if all stakeholders stood united as a community.
Local elder Hajji Faridullah Shinwari assured full cooperation from the tribal community. He urged parents to realize the importance of immunization and called polio eradication a moral and social duty of parents to protect their child from lifelong disability.
“It is our collective responsibility to ensure that no child in our villages is deprived of vaccination. By protecting our children today, we are safeguarding the future of our generations,” he said.
Participants appreciated the relentless efforts of polio workers, particularly those who often face challenging terrain, harsh weather and even security threats to reach every household. They also commended the Pakistan Polio Eradication Initiative, UNICEF and other partner organizations for continuing their work with dedication despite obstacles.
The District Emergency Operation Centre (DEOC) officials noted that the session was part of a broader community engagement strategy aimed at dispelling myths, countering misinformation and promoting essential immunization alongside polio drops. Similar sessions are being held across different union councils of Khyber district to prepare communities ahead of the campaign.
At the end of the session, tribal elders, influencers and community representatives pledged their full support in raising awareness and ensuring that the upcoming polio campaign is implemented smoothly and effectively. They vowed to play their role in motivating families, monitoring vaccination teams, and ensuring that every child in Landikotal and the surrounding areas receives the life-saving drops.
