PM Imran wants district govts to take action against polio workers' harassment

Polio eradication workers are performing a national service, the premier adds

Prime Minister Imran Khan on Friday directed district governments to take responsibility and initiate deterrent legal action in cases of harassment or attacks on polio workers.

Chairing a meeting in Islamabad on Friday which reviewed arrangements for the upcoming polio eradication campaign, he appreciated the hard work done by provincial chief secretaries and deputy commissioners for polio eradication, said a press release.

The premier directed them to sustain the polio eradication drive with vigour and focus and stressed upon synergizing routine immunizations with the anti-polio campaigns, the communique added.

“Polio eradication workers are performing a national service,” the press release said quoting the prime minister.

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The premier also appreciated the efforts made by the teams, who reach out to children in far-flung and hard to access areas of the country.

“These workers are performing a national service and deserve special appreciation,” he said.

PM Imran directed SAPM on health services to come up with a rewards' plan for best performing polio workers.

He emphasized that low-transmission season is a crucial stage and we all have to act against polio with “killer instincts”, the press release added

The PM also emphasised maximizing efforts for COVID-19 vaccinations as a proactive measure against the spread of the new variant Omicron.