Rotary International on Friday decorated Aseefa Bhutto Zardari, Pakistan Polio Eradication Ambassador for her role in fighting the disease in the country.
“Owing to your generous participation in the “This Close” public service campaign we are on the verge of global polio eradication,” the commemorative plaque awarded to her said.
The plaque was presented to Aseefa by Rotary International National Chair Aziz Memon during a special ceremony held at the Aiwan-e-Sadr.
Thanking her on behalf of 1.2 million Rotarians from 200 countries for her role in polio eradication, Rotary Foundation Chairman Wilfrid J. Wilkinson hoped that she would continue to work for this cause.
“We rely on your continued support to ensure that polio eradication remains a priority for world leaders, key community stakeholders and the general public,” he added
He offered the commemorative plaque as a token of their sincere appreciation.
Aseefa was the first Pakistani child to be administered polio drops by Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto in 1994 when she launched a national anti polio campaign.
Aseefa was appointed Pakistan’s Ambassador for Polio Eradication in 2009 and has been actively engaged in the cause since, launching polio eradication campaigns, holding meeting with international organizations and dignitaries including Bill Gates, World Health Organisation (WHO) and United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). She has spoken at various international events and forums to garner support for polio eradication in Pakistan.
Speaking at a United Nations event, Aseefa Bhutto Zardari said that her mother, Benazir Bhutto personally vaccinated her in 1994, an action that inspired the entire nation to embrace polio immunization.
She said that her mother had dreamed of an age in which children were no longer ravaged by this crippling disease, adding that she has personally taken the lead to ensure that every Pakistani child was protected from polio.
“I want to make clear, that whatever the odds, we will not be deterred in the polio eradication campaign”, Aseefa Bhutto said while speaking at the event.
By the way what is Asefa's role or contribution in eradicating polio from Pakistan? What about those poor girls who lost their lives while giving polio drops to children??
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