Summary WHO reiterated that travel restrictions will remain imposed if steps are not taken within 6 months.
ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – State Minister for Health Services Saira Afzal Tarrar said on Wednesday that Pakistan has sought 2 weeks time from World Health Organization for implementation of anti-polio recommendations for international travelers, Dunya News reported.
World Health Organization (WHO) reiterated on Wednesday that travel restrictions will remain imposed if adequate measures are not taken within six months.
In a high level meeting, WHO Pakistan’s president presented international committee’s recommendations. Talking on the occasion he said that WHO is aiming at stopping transfer of polio virus from affected countries to the world.
He said that recommendations are now applied adding that if polio virus is not curbed within six months then the travel restrictions will remain imposed.
Addressing the media after the session, State Minister Saira Afzal Tarrar said that WHO has merely presented its recommendations as of now and that the restrictions are not yet imposed.
She said that Pakistan needs vaccine worth 80 crore rupees for elimination of virus. She said that foreigners intending to stay in Pakistan for longer than four weeks will also have to take the vaccination.
Meanwhile, eleven airports countrywide have been facilitated with polio vaccination points. Federal Secretary Civil Aviation Mohammad Ali Gardezi said that special cards will be issued to those who take the vaccination.
Prime Minister’s special assistant Tariq Fatmi said that eliminating polio is government’s top priority and that all steps will be taken in this regard.
