Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has officially launched a seven-day nationwide anti-polio campaign by administering polio drops to children during a public event on Sunday.
Addressing the gathering, the PM called on parents across the country to fully cooperate with anti-polio field teams to ensure that every child is vaccinated. He stressed that eliminating the poliovirus from Pakistan is achievable through collective national efforts.
He expressed confidence in the effectiveness of the current strategy and noted that comprehensive and robust security arrangements have been implemented to safeguard the health workers participating in the campaign. He also underscored the critical role of public awareness and community mobilization in the fight against polio.
In his remarks, PM Shehbaz extended heartfelt thanks to international partners—particularly the World Health Organization and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation—for their unwavering support in Pakistan’s ongoing efforts to eradicate polio.
Meanwhile, Health Minister Syed Mustafa Kamal acknowledged that while significant research is being conducted in Pakistan’s healthcare sector, implementation remains a critical shortcoming. He also noted that Afghanistan is making more effective efforts to eradicate polio compared to Pakistan.
The minister made these remarks while addressing a ceremony organized by the Health Research Advisory Board in Karachi.
Highlighting regional progress, Kamal revealed that Afghanistan may succeed in eliminating polio before Pakistan does. “I hope that both Pakistan and Afghanistan can achieve polio eradication together,” he added, emphasising the need for stronger, coordinated efforts.
