Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has officially launched a seven-day nationwide anti-polio campaign by administering polio drops for children during a public event on Sunday.
PM, who approached the collection, called on parents across the country to fully cooperate with antipolio field teams to ensure that each child is vaccinated. He emphasized that the elimination of poliovirus from Pakistan can be achieved through collective national efforts.
He expressed confidence in the effectiveness of the current strategy and noted that extensive and robust security schemes have been implemented to protect the health workers participating in the campaign. He also emphasized the critical role as public attention and social mobilization in the fight against polio.
In his remarks, Prime Minister Shehbaz expanded deeply thanks to international partners – especially the World Health Organization and Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation – for their unwavering support in Pakistan’s ongoing efforts to eradicate polio.
Meanwhile, Health Minister Syed Mustafa Kamal recognized that although significant research in Pakistan’s health sector is conducted, implementation remains a critical lack. He also noted that Afghanistan is making a more effective effort to eradicate polio compared to Pakistan.
The Minister made these comments while approaching a ceremony organized by the Health Research Advisory Board in Karachi.
Highlighted regional progress revealed Kamal that Afghanistan can succeed in eliminating polio before Pakistan does. “I hope both Pakistan and Afghanistan can achieve polio extinction together,” he added, emphasizing the need for stronger, coordinated endeavors.
