Anti-Polio Campaign
LAHORE: On Sunday, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif officially launched a seven-day nationwide anti-polio campaign by administering polio drops to children at the campaign’s inaugural ceremony.
The prime minister emphasized the government’s commitment to eradicating polio from Pakistan once and for all, alongside the tireless efforts of health authorities. “Today marks the beginning of another nationwide polio campaign. By the grace of Allah, we are vaccinating children not only here but across the entire country, including Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Kashmir,” he said.
In his address, PM Shehbaz praised the Ministry of Health for its efforts, particularly acknowledging Federal Health Minister Mustafa Kamal, Dr. Malik Mukhtar Ahmed Bharath, the Health Secretary, Coordinators, and the dedicated frontline health workers who have been instrumental in the drive.
He urged all parents to fully cooperate with field teams to ensure that every child receives the vaccine, highlighting the critical importance of widespread participation in the effort.
The prime minister also recognized the challenges posed by security-sensitive areas, stating that robust security measures had been implemented to safeguard vaccination teams and ensure the smooth execution of the campaign.
He called for the mobilization of communities in every neighborhood and street to support this national cause, underscoring that the fight against polio requires collective action at the grassroots level.
Further, PM Shehbaz expressed gratitude to international partners, including the World Health Organisation (WHO), Bill Gates, and other stakeholders, for their continued support in the battle against polio. He reiterated that, with the cooperation of international partners and the country’s collective resolve, Pakistan would achieve permanent relief from this debilitating disease.
During a review meeting earlier in the week, the prime minister was informed that, due to the concerted efforts of the national polio campaign, no new cases of polio had been reported in the country since February 10.
Commending the work of the relevant government institutions, international organizations, and partners, PM Shehbaz expressed his confidence in the success of the campaign.
He also emphasized that, in addition to the ongoing anti-polio efforts, routine immunization against other dangerous diseases should be ensured to provide comprehensive protection for children across the country.
The prime minister was briefed that a total of 415,000 polio workers would participate in this nationwide campaign, which will be subject to third-party validation from April 28 to April 30, in accordance with his instructions. This validation will ensure the campaign’s effectiveness and integrity in its fight to eradicate polio from Pakistan permanently.
