Pakistan Final Polio Campaign of 2024 Launched Amid Rising Cases

Lahore (Sahiwal Updates)

With 63 reported cases of polio this year, the federal government has launched the last anti-polio vaccination campaign of 2024.

This nationwide drive, set to run from December 16 to 22, will cover 143 districts in Pakistan.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif kicked off the campaign by administering polio drops to children at a special event in Islamabad on December 15.

In his address, he thanked international partners like the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, WHO, and Saudi Arabia for their continued support in the fight against polio.

He particularly acknowledged the contribution of Saudi Arabia and Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman, who has been instrumental in efforts to eradicate polio in Pakistan and neighboring Afghanistan.

“Together, with the support of our global and provincial partners, we will eradicate polio once and for all,” the Prime Minister assured.

Polio cases have surged, with 60 new cases reported this year, and the federal and provincial governments are actively working to tackle this challenge head-on.

The cases spread across the country, with 26 in Balochistan, 18 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 17 in Sindh, and one each in Punjab and Islamabad.

PM Sharif urged all parents to ensure their children receive the vaccine during this crucial campaign to protect them from the disease.

He also extended his gratitude to the dedicated polio workers and law enforcement agencies ensuring the campaign’s safe implementation.

Ayesha Raza Farooq, the PM’s Focal Person on Polio Eradication, revealed that nearly 400,000 polio workers would be mobilized across the 143 districts to administer the polio drops.

She emphasized the need for parents to fully cooperate with the vaccination teams and allow access to their homes.

Farooq reiterated the importance of immunization, not only for polio but also for other preventable diseases. She praised the PM for his leadership and commitment to safeguarding the health of Pakistan’s children.

In a pre-recorded message, Farooq also highlighted the campaign’s goal of providing safe, free vaccinations to all children under five.

Dr. Mukhtar Bharath, the PM’s Coordinator for National Health Services, stated that the campaign aims to reach approximately 44 million children across the country.

The vaccination drive is critical, especially given that more than 60% of children affected by polio in 2024 had not received routine immunizations.

To improve immunization efforts, a high-level committee has been established to enhance coordination between the Polio Eradication Initiative (PEI) and the Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI).

This committee, led by Dr. Malik Muhtar Ahmed Barath, will focus on addressing challenges in high-risk areas and improving vaccination coverage nationwide.

The campaign remains a key component of Pakistan’s ongoing efforts to eradicate polio, with hopes that combined federal, provincial, and international efforts will lead to a polio-free future.