Sunday, May 27, 2012
Kabul (BNA) Dr. Suraya Dalil Minister of Public Health was selected as deputy chairperson of the World Health Assembly at the 65th general session of the assembly attended by over 70 WHO member countries. 
Talking to the media after her return from Geneva she said that selection of Afghanistan as deputy chairperson of this assembly further signifies the importance of our country before the world community. 
Dr. Dalil added that alongside this assembly she separately met with some ministers of health of USA, Mediterranean countries including Iran, Iraq and Pakistan and emphasized in these meeting on bilateral cooperation. 
In her meeting with the Pakistani health minister, discussions took place on elimination of the virus of polio that both countries carry on parallel polio campaigns on the border regions so that this virus is prevented. 
She noted that the WHO considers polio a serious threat and emphasizes on elimination of its virus, because serious struggle is not launched for elimination of this virus, it can cause affliction among around 200,000 worldwide. 
It is said at this time that the polio virus had been uprooted in countries like India, China but in recent month polio cases have been registered once again. 
She said that polio cases have been registered in Kandahar, Urozgan and Helmand and we have recognized 13 zones in the south of the country where more such cases were registered and we have undertaken a special program for elimination of its virus in those regions.  
Last year, she emphasized, that we had 80 cases of polio in the country 80% of which have been registered in the south of Afghanistan and this year only 6 cases were registered. 
She attributed insecurity as a challenge in struggle against this virus and asked the in charges of the provinces and the elders and influential to cooperate in realization of polio vaccinations so that their children become safe.