Zahida Parveen receives the Polio Hero award from the Deputy Commissioner of Bahawalpur 19 February 2018 – Ms Zahida Parveen, working as a lady health worker and polio vaccinator in Bahawalpur, Punjab province, received a Polio Hero award from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for her outstanding participation in anti-polio campaigns.
Established in 2000 by CDC and other partners of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, the Bob Keegan Polio Eradication Heroes Fund recognizes polio workers who have suffered from serious injuries or death as a direct consequence of their participation in polio eradication activities.
Ms Parveen has worked as a lady health worker since 1998 and participated in several anti-polio campaigns. In March 2017, while vaccinating children during national immunization days, Ms Parveen was hit by a car resulting in a fracture in her left leg.
Deputy Commissioner of Bahawalpur Mr Rana Muhammad Saleem presented the award to Zahida Parveen on 14 February 2018 in a ceremony at the Deputy Commissioner's Office, where Chief Executive Officer of Health Dr Fayyaz Anwar, District Surveillance Coordinator Dr Zakir Ali and Area Coordinator for the World Health Organization Dr Yasir Nawaz were also present.
Despite the accident and long-term treatment, Ms Parveen said she would continue to serve as polio vaccinator. “I am very thankful to polio partners and the Government for this recognition,” she said. ” “My family members are very proud of me and I am thankful to God for all the respect that I have received.”
The Deputy Commissioner expressed his gratitude to the CDC for providing the financial support to Ms Parveen. He also added that the award was very motivating for other front-line polio workers.