Lahore:
A health worker was assaulted while administering the human papillomavirus vaccine at a government’s girls’ school in Chak 38, Kuthiala Sheikhan area of Mandi Bahauddin district.
According to FIR, which was filed at Kuthiala Sheikhan Police Station, the worker, Ghulam Sughra, was part of a mobile vaccination team that visited the school during Punjab’s ongoing HPV immunization campaign.
She claimed that a local woman, the parveen, along with several accomplices, seized, stopped and verbally abused her and disturbed the vaccination process.
Police have registered a case under section 186 (obstacle of a public employee) and 506 (criminal intimidation) of the Pakistan Penal Code against the parveen and 15 others. No arrests have yet been made, although investigators said that efforts are underway to identify all suspects and register testimony.
District Health Officer Dr. Muhammad Javed confirmed that the campaign would continue as planned, with additional security for field teams. “Our workers are public employees who provide a life -saving vaccine. We will not allow threats to derail this essential work,” he said.
Punjab’s HPV vaccination drives youth girls to prevent cervical cancer.
Officials acknowledged that resistance has occasionally emerged in rural areas, largely driven by incorrect information. Medical associations have called for stronger social engagement and improved protection of front -line workers.
Punjab Minister of Health and Population Velvar Khawaja Imran Nazir strongly condemned the incident and said, “Lady -Health Workers are our sisters and daughters. Their humiliation will never be tolerated. I stand with all our LHWs at the front line of this noble mission.”
The minister warned that those involved would be subjected to severe punishment and said he had instructed the district police officer to secure immediate arrests. He appealed to the public and added, “Don’t fall for false propaganda. This vaccine is a guarantee of a safe and healthy future for our daughters.”
The provincial health department has also sought a detailed report from CEO Health Mandi Bahauddin, while police efforts to understand the suspects are underway.
