Lahore:
A health worker was attacked during the administration of the human papillomavirus vaccine in a school of girls in the government of Chak 38, the region of Kuthiala Sheikhan in the district of Mandi Bahauddin.
According to the FIR filed with the Kuthiala Sheikhan police station, the worker, Ghumam Prophra, was part of a mobile vaccination team visiting the school as part of the Punjab’s during HPV immunization campaign.
She allegedly alleged that a local woman, Parveen, as well as several accomplices, grabbed her, grabbed her and had mistreated her verbally, disturbing the vaccination process.
Police recorded a case under articles 186 (obstructing an official) and 506 (criminal intimidation) of the Pakistan penal code against Parveen and 15 others. No arrest has yet been made, although the investigators said that efforts were underway to identify all suspects and record witness declarations.
The district health official, Dr. Muhammad Javed, confirmed that the campaign would continue as planned, with additional security for the teams on the ground. “Our workers are civil servants who issue a vital vaccine. We will not allow intimidation to derail this essential work,” he said.
Launched earlier this year with the support of the World Health Organization and UNICEF, Punjab HPV vaccination inoculates adolescent girls to prevent cervical cancer.
Officials have recognized that resistance has sometimes surfaced in rural areas, mainly driven by disinformation. Medical associations have expressed stronger community commitment and improved protection for front -line workers.
The Minister of Punjab to the health and well-being of the Khawaja Population Imran Nazir firmly condemned the incident, saying: “Health women are our sisters and our daughters. Their humiliation will never be tolerated. I stand with all our LHW which are on the front line of this noble mission. ”
The Minister warned that the persons involved were in the event of strict punishment and said that he had ordered the district police officer to ensure immediate arrests. Using the public, he added: “Do not fall for false propaganda. This vaccine is a guarantee of a safe and healthy future for our daughters. ”
The Department of Provincial Health also requested a detailed report from the CEO Health Mandi Bahauddin, while police efforts to apprehend the suspects are underway.
