Prime Minister Pledges to Make Pakistan Polio-Free
— October 28, 2024
ISLAMABAD (AIA) Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Monday reaffirmed the government’s commitment to eradicating polio from Pakistan, stressing a unified national effort to combat the disease. “We will not rest until we have permanently defeated polio,” the Prime Minister declared while presiding over a high-level meeting on polio eradication.
During the meeting, the Prime Minister praised polio teams for their efforts and directed Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed Bharath, the National Health Coordinator, along with Ayesha Raza Farooq, the Polio Focal Person, and the National Health Secretary, to visit regions most affected by polio during the recent vaccination campaign.
He also ordered an independent audit of the anti-polio drive to ensure transparency and effectiveness, stressing the importance of a comprehensive strategy to bridge the immunity gap.
The meeting included a briefing on recent polio cases and the current status of the eradication efforts. Pakistan currently has 41 active polio cases, with 25 cases stemming from areas with low routine immunisation coverage. Officials noted that polio prevalence is significantly lower in regions with higher vaccination rates.
Senior government officials, including Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed Bharath and Ayesha Raza Farooq, were also present at the meeting.