ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif chaired the National Task Force meeting for polio eradication on Friday and expressed his government’s full commitment to take practical measures for curbing wild polio virus transmission in Pakistan.
The prime minister said that the current climatic conditions pose great challenges to vaccination campaigns but it is remarkable to see how polio teams have carried on despite floods in several parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and torrential rains in Karachi.
A polio-free Pakistan is our national goal. Pakistan is one of few countries that still have polio cases, which is unfortunate. Federal & provincial govts should do their best to eradicate polio virus as a collective mission. I appeal to parents to cooperate with polio teams.
— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) August 19, 2022
It is Important to mention that the current polio campaign for Karachi and six districts of southern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa started on August 15 while the national polio vaccination drive in the rest of the Country will commence on August 22.
“This is a testing time, with recent cases and security incidents, but this is a challenge we can and will overcome. Countries with far more complex challenges have eradicated polio and I see no reason why Pakistan cannot curb transmission,” the prime minister said that adding that all provincial governments must ensure they have the best people in the most challenging areas.
“I thank all law enforcement agencies, especially Pakistan army and police for their support to polio teams across Pakistan. Many officers and polio workers have sacrificed their lives in the line of duty,” he added.
The prime minister also thanked the international donors and partners, especially Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, who have been consistently helping Pakistan to curb the spread of polio virus in Pakistan.
With access to several areas of the country virtually cut off due to flash floods, this anti-polio campaign has become all the more challenging. However, complacency is not an option. Grateful to our global partners, particularly Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation for their support.
— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) August 19, 2022
It is relevant to state that this is the third National Task Force Meeting on Polio that Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif has chaired since he took office. Soon after the first wild polio case of the year was reported in April.
Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif chaired an emergency meeting of Deputy Commissioners of all high-risk areas to discuss and address the challenges on the ground.
The prime minister and other participants recited fateha for the police constables and soldiers who were martyred in Tank on Tuesday.
