Polio eradication drive inaugurated

Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa's Health Minister, Syed Qasim Ali Shah, officially commenced the polio eradication campaign by personally administering polio drops to a child at the Police Services Hospital Peshawar. In a briefing with journalists, he emphasized the inclusive approach of the campaign, involving pediatricians, religious figures, political leaders, and other stakeholders to ensure its success.

Preparations for the five-day Sub-National Immunization Days (SNIDs) campaign, spanning selected districts, have been meticulously finalized in two phases starting April 29. Over 4.42 million children under the age of five are set to receive polio drops, marking a concerted effort to safeguard their health and combat the spread of the disease.

“During the first phase of this campaign, which will be carried out from April 29 to May 3, polio drops will be administered to approximately 2.83 million children,” he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 27^th, 2024.