Aligarh : The Department of Pediatrics, J. N. Medical College, Aligarh Muslim University organized a Workshop on Acute Flaccid Paralysis (AFP) in collaboration with WHO (World Health Organization) for consultants and residents of the Department in order to sensitize them about Acute Flaccid Paralysis surveillance.

Prof. S. Manazir Ali, Chairman, Department of Pediatrics introduced Surveillance Medical Officers (SMOs) of National Polio Surveillance Project (NPSP) and highlighted the basic objectives of the workshop, especially understanding global Polio eradication scenario to understand AFP and the way to identify it, and understanding the role and responsibilities of the doctors in the AFP Surveillance. He also informed that India's name has been removed from the list of endemic countries as none of the case of Polio has been reported since January 2011. However Pakistan, Afghanistan and Nigeria still figure in the list of endemic countries.

Dr. Rajesh Jain from WHO gave the overview of Polio and strategies for its eradication on global level. He also emphasized that the world was passing through end phase of Polio eradication. So, there is a need to strengthen surveillance activities which includes reporting all AFP cases which are seen on daily basis in the OPD, Emergency and the Ward. Dr M.A.H. Azhar, SMO gave the over view of AFP form filling and collection of stool sample. However, Dr. Vikas Gupta, WHO representative emphasized that reporting a typical AFP case in this phase would intensify the effort and help in detecting "Polio cases" as early as possible so that intervention to stop the epidemic can be initiated at the earliest.

The workshop was followed by an interactive session. Dr. Zeba Zakaur Rub and Dr. Ayesh Ahmad, Assistant Professors of Pediatrics, Dr. Vikas Gupta, Dr. Guljabeen Sheikh and Dr. M. A. H. Azhar from WHO attended the above workshop.

Prof. S. Manazir Ali urged the residents to actively participate in the surveillance by reporting AFP cases and contribute towards eradication of Polio from the Universe. He also expressed gratitude to the representatives of NPSP, WHO, Surveillance Medical Officers, Vikas Gupta, Dr. Guljabeen Sheikh and Dr. M. A. H. Azhar for conducting the programme smoothly.