LAHORE (Kashmir English): Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday reaffirmed his government’s resolve to wipe out polio from Pakistan, as he launched a fresh, week-long Nationwide anti-polio campaign targeting children under five.
Speaking at the Nationwide anti-polio campaigns opening ceremony, the premier said that both the federal government and health authorities are working hard to permanently eliminate the virus.
“This nationwide drive begins today, not just here, but across the country, including in Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmirs (AJK),” he said.
He appreciated the role of the Ministry of Health, including Health Minister Dr Mustafa Kamal, Dr Malik Mukhtar Ahmed Bharath, senior officials, and frontline health workers, for their dedication and service.
The prime minister called on parents to support field teams and make sure every eligible child receives the vaccine during the Nationwide anti-polio campaign.
While acknowledging difficulties in some security-sensitive areas, Shehbaz Sharif said that strong security plans are in place to ensure the campaign runs smoothly and safely.
“This is a shared responsibility. We need to involve every street, every community, to protect our children from this threat,” he urged.
He also thanked international partners such as the World Health Organization (WHO), Bill Gates, and others for their continued backing of Pakistan’s polio eradication efforts.
“With your support and our shared determination, I believe we can finally put an end to this disease,” the prime minister said.
Earlier this week, the prime minister was briefed that no new polio cases had been reported in the country since February 10, thanks to ongoing vaccination campaigns.
Chairing a review meeting, PM Shehbaz lauded the role of government departments, global health agencies, and other partners in helping push the country closer to being polio-free.
He stressed the importance of continuing routine immunisations alongside this campaign to guard against other serious illnesses.
During the meeting, officials shared that around 415,000 health workers will take part in this Nationwide anti-polio campaign. They also noted that third-party monitoring of the Nationwide anti-polio campaign’s effectiveness will be carried out from April 28 to April 30, following the PM’s directions.
