Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif launched the final anti-polio campaign of the year on Sunday to eliminate polio in the nation due to an alarming increase in cases.
The week-long campaign, which will cover 143 districts in Pakistan, starts on Monday, December 16. This important initiative is intended to provide polio drops to more than 44 million children under five years of age.
Pakistan’s Polio Challenge
Along with Afghanistan, Pakistan is one of the two countries in the world where polio is still a major problem. Children under five are most commonly afflicted by the virus, which frequently results in permanent paralysis. Despite global efforts, progress has been restricted by factors like vaccine hesitancy, false information, and security concerns.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif spoke at the launch ceremony in Islamabad, acknowledging the challenges posed by the recent surge in polio cases, which now total 63 nationwide. “This is a great concern, but we are determined to win this fight against polio,” he said.
Appeals for Public Support
In order to safeguard their futures, the prime minister asked parents to vaccinate their children. He also thanked the Saudi government, the World Health Organisation (WHO), and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation for assisting Pakistan’s polio eradication efforts.
The campaign’s spokesperson, Ayesha Raza Farooq, emphasised the vaccine’s safety and effectiveness in a statement. “As a mother, I appeal to you to open your doors to polio workers. This vaccine is free, and completing the vaccination course is essential to protect children from polio and other deadly diseases,” she said.
Read more: Multan Sultans Join Forces with Polio Programme to End Polio
Focus on Balochistan: The Most Affected Province
With 26 out of the 63 nationwide cases, Balochistan has reported the highest number of cases this year. The virus has been detected in environmental samples across districts such as Chaman, Dera Bugti, and Quetta.
On December 17, a province-wide polio campaign targeting more than 2.66 million children will begin in response. In spite of severe weather, around 11,600 teams, including mobile units and fixed vaccination sites, will guarantee optimal coverage, according to Emergency Operations Centre Coordinator Inamul Haq.
Haq appealed to parents, civil society, teachers, and religious leaders to support this drive. He also warned that missing the vaccine could lead to lifelong disability.
Recognizing Frontline Workers
The contributions of frontline polio workers, who continue their efforts in challenging conditions, were widely acknowledged during the launch. These workers play a vital role in safeguarding children across Pakistan.
The final anti-polio drive of 2024 is a critical step in Pakistan’s fight to eradicate this crippling disease. With rising cases and new challenges, the success of this campaign relies on public cooperation and the collective efforts of all stakeholders. Vaccinating every child under five is not just a necessity but a duty to secure a healthier future for the nation.
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