Islamabad:
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif launched the first anti-polao campaign on Sunday on Sunday, due from February 3 to 9, by administering polio falls to children under the age of five and reaffirming his commitment to Eliminate Pakistan disease.
Speaking during the launch of the campaign, the Prime Minister underlined his determination to rid the Polio country.
According to the Associated Press of Pakistan, he said: “The national vaccination campaign against polio is targeting millions of children to save their future and their health”.
The Prime Minister praised the dedication of vaccination teams, expressing the confidence they would work “day and night to eradicate the disease and reach distant areas and villages”.
He said the teams would assume their responsibility with “energy and full commitment”.
Commenting on the figures for last year, Prime Minister Shehbaz deplored that 77 cases of polio were reported in the country, calling this a major challenge and a reverse in the fight against the disease.
Referring to the first case of polio of the year, detected last month, the Prime Minister reiterated his unshakable determination to eliminate polio thanks to dedicated teamwork and international cooperation.
He also expressed his optimism that with continuous global efforts, Afghanistan – Pakistan’s politician neighbor – would also overcome the disease.
Shehbaz has recognized the contributions of international partners, including the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, praising their commitment to the efforts of ‘Eradication of Pakistan polio.
Polio, a highly infectious disease that leads to paralysis, has no remedy. The only defense against it is multiple doses of the vaccine against oral polio and ending the immunization of routine for all children under the age of five to ensure great immunity.
Pakistan remains one of the last two countries in the world, alongside Afghanistan, where polio is still endemic. Despite global efforts to eliminate the virus, challenges such as security threats, vaccination hesitation and disinformation continue to hinder progress.
Last year, Pakistan reported more than 70 cases of polio, with traces of the virus detected in nearly 90 districts. The first case of polio of 2024 was reported in the district of Dera Ismail Khan by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Meanwhile, the Prime Minister visited the residence of the President of the National Assembly (NA) Sardar Ayaz Sadiq in Lahore on Sunday.
He held a meeting with the president, also assisted by the vice-president of the NA, Ghulam Mustafa Shah, and the members of the National Assembly (MNA) Khursheed Shah and Shazia Marri.
The Prime Minister prolonged sincere congratulations to the vice-president Ghumlam Mustafa Shah for the marriage of his son, offering his best wishes and blessings to the newlyweds.
Other eminent members of the National Assembly were also present on occasion.
