A nationwide anti-polio campaign is set to kick off on Monday, aiming to vaccinate more than 30 million children aged five and under, as reported by state broadcaster Radio Pakistan on Sunday.

In preparation for this campaign, various district administrations in Sindh have initiated week-long polio vaccination drives, targeting approximately 9.4 million children in 30 districts across the province.

So far this year, Pakistan has reported 17 polio cases, with three of them originating from Sindh. The situation is further complicated by the detection of positive environmental samples in the province, indicating ongoing virus circulation.

Pakistan, alongside Afghanistan, remains one of the last two countries where polio is still endemic. Despite global efforts to eliminate the virus, challenges such as security concerns, vaccine hesitancy, and misinformation continue to hinder progress.

PM Shehbaz vows to make Pakistan polio-free

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reaffirmed on Sunday his commitment to making Pakistan polio-free, stating that with collective efforts, the disease would be completely eradicated and prevented from re-emerging in the future, ensuring a healthier future for the nation’s children.

While speaking at the ceremony, the prime minister stressed that a unified approach and collaborative efforts are “crucial to successfully tackling” the polio challenge and achieving a polio-free Pakistan.

The prime minister extended a warm welcome to the attendants and expressed his appreciation for the outstanding collaboration and tireless efforts of federal and provincial government staff, foot soldiers, and security officers, who have worked together seamlessly to drive the polio eradication campaign forward.

He voiced his confidence that by working together with provincial chief ministers, chief secretaries, health ministers, and health secretaries, the government will successfully eliminate polio, paving the way for a polio-free future and eradicating this preventable disease in the years to come.

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The prime minister assured that the polio eradication campaign “is in capable hands, being led by expert teams, and expressed optimism that the federal government’s joint efforts with the provinces will ultimately lead to the disease’s eradication.”

“Once polio is eliminated, the government will ensure it never returns, providing a safer future for generations to come,” he said.