PROVINCE REPORT
PESHAWAR : Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa with the support of United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) organized a workshop for health beat reporters of Peshawar Press Club (PPC) on the role of media in polio eradication here on Tuesday.
The workshop focused on updating the participants on the latest program performance with a special focus on the persistent challenges in polio eradication in the province and the support required from the media in tackling those challenges.
Additional Secretary Health/EOC Coordinator Sarah Rehman was the chief guest on this occasion. Participants of the session included 50 health beat reporters of print, electronic and digital media channels, senior journalists, bureau chiefs of various media houses and representatives of the Information Department KP and Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI). The session was also attended by partners’ representatives and EOC officials.
Addressing the opening session of the workshop, Additional Secretary Health/EOC Coordinator, Sarah Rehman said that the entire administrative machinery, law enforcement agencies and health department officials are actively involved in polio eradication efforts, however, the government machinery cannot tackle this challenge alone and it needs across the board support from all segments of society including media. Highlighting the critical role of media in polio eradication, she said that through their effective reporting, journalists can play a key role in changing perceptions of the people in favour of vaccination. She further said that Journalists can play a significant role in creating awareness among the people about the significance of polio vaccination & essential immunization, removing the existing myths and misconceptions that prevent the parents from vaccinating their children as well as highlighting the hard work and tireless efforts of frontline workers for securing the future of our future generation from this menace.
In his technical presentation on polio eradication, Dr. Sardar Alam of WHO shed light on the historical background of polio eradication efforts in the world, global and country level updates of polio cases as well as the latest polio updates in KP.
He presented a detailed overview of the current polio situation in the province, outlining key challenges to eradication and emphasized on the importance of sustained vaccination campaigns and collective action to protect every child against polio.
Explaining the need for and importance of polio booster dose campaign in specific high risk union councils of Peshawar and Khyber, Dr. Sardar Alam said that children above 5 years of age are losing their immunity against polio, which allows the virus to keep spreading, adding that a booster fIPV dose for all 4 months to 10 years old children is important to strengthen their immunity against this crippling disease and reduce virus circulation in this age group.
He sought media support in building community trust and changing the perception of the people towards vaccine acceptability so that this virus may be wiped out from the last endemic zone.
Jahanuddin, Social & Behavior Change Specialist of UNICEF stressed on understanding community perceptions, addressing misconceptions, building trust, and encouraging positive behaviors towards polio and essential immunization for a healthier future of our children.
Shadab Younas, Communication Officer UNICEF, while taking a session on external communications, focused on the significance of proper health reporting, explaining that effective health reporting is essential for maintaining and improving public health. She explained that polio reporting requires special skills and technical knowledge and stressed on the participants to master their skills to ensure effective reporting. She appealed to the media to convince the people who are hesitant towards polio vaccination through their effective human angle stories, developing documentaries and bringing forth neutral and trusted voices to change the perception of the people.
Addressing the session, Zia ul Haq, Vice President of Peshawar Press Club, shared his views on the importance of media collaboration and journalists’ responsibility to communicate accurate information, counter misinformation, and support polio eradication efforts. He also stressed on the effective collaboration between media and health related entities to work jointly for a healthier future of the nation.
The session concluded with closing remarks by Dr. Muhammad Ayaz, Deputy Director EPI, who underscored the need for coordinated efforts among journalists, health authorities, and the polio programme to strengthen public awareness and improve communication for a healthier tomorrow.
The workshop proved to be a very insightful and interactive session, and the participants suggested valuable inputs to further improve polio eradication efforts and ensure the eradication of this crippling disease once and for all.
