Islamabad, September 8, 2024 – Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday launched a nationwide anti-polio campaign aimed at the complete eradication of the crippling disease from Pakistan.
The initiative, which spans across 115 districts, seeks to vaccinate 30 million children under the age of five against polio.
Running from September 9 to 15, the campaign will mobilize an army of 286,000 polio workers who will go door-to-door administering polio drops. This significant effort is being undertaken to ensure that every eligible child is protected from this debilitating disease, which has been a persistent health challenge in Pakistan.
During the launch event, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed his gratitude to the international partners and organizations that have been instrumental in supporting Pakistan’s fight against polio. These partners include the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, the Gates Foundation, and the United Nations, all of which have provided critical support in terms of funding, resources, and expertise.
“We are grateful to the partners and friendly international organizations cooperating with the government in the fight against polio,” the Prime Minister said. He reaffirmed his government’s commitment to ensuring that Pakistan becomes polio-free, highlighting the importance of collaboration between federal and provincial governments in achieving this goal. “Our efforts to eliminate polio from Pakistan will certainly bear fruit, Insha’Allah,” he added, expressing optimism for the future.
Shehbaz Sharif also paid tribute to the tireless efforts of polio workers, federal and provincial officials, and the security personnel who have ensured the safe administration of vaccines in areas affected by conflict or instability. These workers, often risking their own safety, have been pivotal in ensuring that even the most remote communities are reached.
In his message to parents, the Prime Minister emphasized the importance of vaccination, urging them to ensure that their children under five receive the polio drops. “It is our collective responsibility to protect our children from this lifelong disability,” he said. He further stressed that no child should be left unvaccinated, as polio remains a preventable disease.
In a symbolic gesture, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif personally administered polio drops to several children during the launch ceremony. The event was also attended by key government officials, including the Prime Minister’s Coordinator for Health, Dr. Mukhtar Bharath, and the Special Representative for Polio Eradication, Ayesha Raza Farooq.
The launch of this campaign marks another significant step in Pakistan’s long-standing battle against polio, with hopes high that complete eradication is within reach.
