PM pledges to end polio despite challenges
Addressing the anti-polio task force, he stressed the urgency of reaching every child with multiple vaccine doses, underscoring the government's commitment to stamping out the crippling disease despite ongoing resistance and attacks on health workers.
'We will not allow polio to cripple our children or our future,' Sharif said, reiterating pledges made by his predecessors amid recurring outbreaks that have dogged the country for years.
While acknowledging progress credited to frontline workers, provincial authorities, and international partners, Sharif did not shy away from highlighting the risks faced by vaccination teams – who have been targeted by militants and met with public distrust in some regions.
'The safety of polio workers remains paramount,' he said, calling on law enforcement and all stakeholders to 'redouble their efforts' in a campaign he described as a national priority.
Sharif also singled out international support, praising Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for his comprehensive backing and lauding the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation's role in sustaining the costly, complex fight against the virus.
A briefing during the meeting revealed new targeted campaigns in Southern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa – a known hotspot – tailored to overcome local barriers that have repeatedly stalled eradication efforts.
Officials acknowledged the dual challenge of vaccinating children and rooting out environmental reservoirs of the virus that allow it to persist in some districts.
Among those attending were senior figures from the Gates Foundation, World Health Organization, UNICEF, Saudi Arabia's KS Relief, Rotary International, alongside Minister for National Health Services Mustafa Kamal, Minister of State for National Health Dr Mukhtar Ahmed Bharath, the Prime Minister's Focal Person on Polio Eradication Ayesha Raza Farooq, chief secretaries from all provinces, Gilgit-Baltistan, Azad Jammu & Kashmir, and Islamabad Capital Territory, alongside the National Coordinator for Polio Eradication.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Business Recorder
10 hours ago
- Business Recorder
PM pledges to end polio despite challenges
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif vowed on Thursday to intensify efforts to eradicate polio, amid persistent security threats and logistical hurdles that continue to undermine the campaign. Addressing the anti-polio task force, he stressed the urgency of reaching every child with multiple vaccine doses, underscoring the government's commitment to stamping out the crippling disease despite ongoing resistance and attacks on health workers. 'We will not allow polio to cripple our children or our future,' Sharif said, reiterating pledges made by his predecessors amid recurring outbreaks that have dogged the country for years. While acknowledging progress credited to frontline workers, provincial authorities, and international partners, Sharif did not shy away from highlighting the risks faced by vaccination teams – who have been targeted by militants and met with public distrust in some regions. 'The safety of polio workers remains paramount,' he said, calling on law enforcement and all stakeholders to 'redouble their efforts' in a campaign he described as a national priority. Sharif also singled out international support, praising Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for his comprehensive backing and lauding the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation's role in sustaining the costly, complex fight against the virus. A briefing during the meeting revealed new targeted campaigns in Southern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa – a known hotspot – tailored to overcome local barriers that have repeatedly stalled eradication efforts. Officials acknowledged the dual challenge of vaccinating children and rooting out environmental reservoirs of the virus that allow it to persist in some districts. Among those attending were senior figures from the Gates Foundation, World Health Organization, UNICEF, Saudi Arabia's KS Relief, Rotary International, alongside Minister for National Health Services Mustafa Kamal, Minister of State for National Health Dr Mukhtar Ahmed Bharath, the Prime Minister's Focal Person on Polio Eradication Ayesha Raza Farooq, chief secretaries from all provinces, Gilgit-Baltistan, Azad Jammu & Kashmir, and Islamabad Capital Territory, alongside the National Coordinator for Polio Eradication. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
a day ago
- Express Tribune
PM reaffirms Pakistan's pledge to eliminate polio
Listen to article Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reaffirmed on Thursday Pakistan's commitment to eradicating polio, urging accelerated efforts and stronger coordination among national, regional and international partners. Chairing a meeting of the Anti-Polio Task Force in Islamabad, the prime minister said the government remains determined to protect every child in the country from the disease. 'We are committed to protect every child in Pakistan from this crippling disease and achieve a polio-free Pakistan,' he said. Shehbaz stressed the need for complete dedication to ensure that all children across Pakistan receive multiple doses of the polio vaccine. He also highlighted the importance of addressing both human transmission and the environmental presence of the virus. Acknowledging the progress made so far, the prime minister praised the dedication of frontline health workers, the contributions of provincial and regional governments and the role of law enforcement agencies in supporting the anti-polio campaign. Read: PM takes notice of G-B polio case He expressed particular gratitude to Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia Mohammed bin Salman for his support of Pakistan's polio eradication efforts. He also commended the vital contributions of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and its Global Development Program, led by Dr Christopher Elias, along with the continued engagement of the World Health Organization, UNICEF, Rotary International, and KS Relief. The meeting was informed that district-specific polio campaigns have been designed for southern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to address localised challenges more effectively. In addition to targeting new polio cases among children, these campaigns also aim to eliminate the virus from the environment. The Islamabad meeting was attended by senior government officials and global health leaders, Chief Secretaries from all four provinces, Gilgit-Baltistan, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, and the Chief Commissioner of Islamabad also took part in the session. Shehbaz reiterated that the safety of polio workers is a top priority, and directed all stakeholders to intensify their collective efforts to eliminate the disease completely. He concluded by stating that with firm political will and international cooperation, the goal of a polio-free Pakistan is within reach. Earlier, a polio case in North Waziristan, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa was reported, where a 19-month-old boy tested positive, bringing the country's total to 14 cases in 2025. The case, confirmed by the Regional Reference Laboratory for Polio Eradication at the National Institute of Health (NIH) Islamabad, is the eighth reported from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, with others recorded in Sindh (4), Punjab (1), and Gilgit-Baltistan (1). Pakistan saw its highest spike in the past decade in 2019, with 147 cases nationwide, before cases dropped sharply in 2021. However, a resurgence in 2024, particularly in Sindh and Balochistan, reinforced the call for continuous, targeted anti-polio strategies.
Express Tribune
3 days ago
- Express Tribune
N Waziristan case takes tally to 14
The Regional Reference Laboratory for Polio Eradication at the National Institute of Health (NIH), Islamabad, has confirmed a polio case from North Waziristan district, South Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. A 19-month-old boy from Union Council Miranshah-3 has been identified as the eighth polio case from K-P this year. With this latest detection, the total number of polio cases reported in Pakistan in 2025 has risen to 14 - including eight from K-P, four from Sindh, and one each from Punjab and Gilgit-Baltistan. Polio is a highly infectious and incurable disease that can cause lifelong paralysis. The only effective protection is through repeated doses of the oral polio vaccine (OPV) for every child under five during each campaign, along with timely completion of all essential immunizations. While nationwide efforts to eradicate polio continue to improve the quality of vaccination campaigns, the southern districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa remain a major concern due to limited access and challenges in conducting house-to-house vaccination. These obstacles result in missed opportunities, leaving thousands of children unvaccinated and vulnerable to poliovirus. A special vaccination activity was conducted in six union councils of Bannu from June 23 to 28, during which 17,485 children received the Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV). A similar targeted vaccination drive is being planned in 11 union councils of North Waziristan. Additionally, preparations are underway for a large-scale special vaccination campaign in South K-P, scheduled for August. Recent polio cases in South K-P are a stark reminder that children missed during vaccination campaigns remain at serious risk. While the programme is making every effort to reach every child, the role of parents is critical.
