KANDAHAR - The Governor of southern Kandahar Province called on the elders and the Ulema (religious scholars) yesterday to extend their cooperation to eliminate the polio virus “from their homes and villages”.

Speaking during a meeting of health officials besides other Government officials and local elders at the Department of Public Health, Governor Toryalai Wesa said the cooperation from the local elders and scholars would be significant in combating polio, which is endemic in Afghanistan, Pakistan and Nigeria.

The elders and the Ulema promised to assist to raise public awareness and help prevent the polio disease.

Abdul Qayoum Pokhla, the head of the Kandahar public health office, said although number of polio cases is higher in southern Afghanistan in comparison to the other parts of the country, some progress has been achieved.

“The polio campaigns are successful in Afghanistan and we have recorded a decrease in polio cases in 2012 in comparison to 2011,” stated Mr. Pokhla.

Source: Kandahar RTA