LAHORE: Students of major colleges of Lahore pledged to fight against polio in an exhibition of pictures, paintings and portraits organised by the Punjab Health Department in collaboration with the Unicef. Students from Lahore College for Women University, Kinnaird College, Home Economics College and National College of Arts took part in the exhibition with great zeal and enthusiasm.
Photographers of various media outlets contributed their pictures taken during the National Immunization Days of polio. The exhibition, held at Nairang Art gallery, was inaugurated by Special Health Secretary Babar Hayat, DG Health Dr Zafar Ikram along with the representatives of Unicef including Dr Tahir Manzoor, Dr Naeemullah and Mr Ibrahim Khan. Addressing the participants, special health secretary called for maximum cooperation on the part of all sections of society to rid the country of polio. “We need to walk the last mile with extra care as Pakistan is nearing elimination of polio”, secretary Babar Hayat said. The participating students were given certificates in the evening. Speaking on the occasion an NCA student Hyder Ali stated that parents need to cooperate with the government teams during the polio drives. “We should not ridicule polio teams when they go door to door during immunization drives”, he said. Total number of cases stand at 49 so far in the year with Fata at the forefront in terms of number of cases which stand at 36, followed by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 7, Sindh 3, Punjab 3 and Balochistan.–Staff Reporter