Home Latest News P.M. Sharif Launches Nationwide Polio Vaccination Campaign

P.M. Sharif Launches Nationwide Polio Vaccination Campaign

In statement, premier urges parents to cooperate with polio teams to achieve a polio-free Pakistan

by Staff Report

Photo courtesy PID

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday launched a nationwide polio vaccination campaign, stressing that a polio-free Pakistan is a national goal.

The latest campaign commenced with the prime minister personally administering polio vaccines to children under-five at the Prime Minister’s House in Islamabad. “A polio-free Pakistan is our national goal,” he wrote on Twitter subsequently. “Pakistan is one of few countries that still have polio cases, which is unfortunate. Federal and provincial governments should do their best to eradicate polio virus as a collective mission. I appeal to parents to cooperate with polio teams,” he added.

Regretting that recent rains and flooding had “virtually cut off” access to several parts of the country, he said this would make the current campaign much more challenging. “However, complacency is not an option. Grateful to our global partners, particularly the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, for their support,” he added.

During the event at the Prime Minister’s House, Sharif paid tribute to polio workers for continuing their work in harsh condition and the remotest areas of the country. He also stressed on maintaining the momentum against polio, hoping that in doing so, Pakistan would be able to achieve its goal of polio eradication.

In addition to the prime minister, the launching ceremony was attended by Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, Health Minister Abdul Qadir Patel, Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb and representatives of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

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