PM Shehbaz pledges to make Pakistan polio-free

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reiterated the government's commitment to eradicating polio in Pakistan during a meeting focused on the country's polio eradication efforts. He emphasised the necessity of unified action, stating, “We will not rest until we have permanently defeated polio.”

During the meeting, the PM commended the government's polio team for their ongoing efforts in combating the disease.

He instructed Coordinator for National Health, Dr Mukhtar Ahmed Bharath, Polio Focal Person Ayesha Raza Farooq, and the Secretary of National Health to visit the most affected areas identified during the recent polio campaign.

PM Shehbaz also ordered a third-party audit of the anti-polio campaign to ensure transparency and efficacy. He stressed the importance of developing a comprehensive strategy to address the existing immunity gap among the population.

The meeting provided a briefing on recent polio cases and the overall status of the polio eradication campaign. Currently, Pakistan has 41 active polio cases, with 25 of these cases occurring in individuals who have not received adequate routine immunisation coverage.

The briefing underscored that polio transmission rates are significantly lower in areas with higher vaccination rates, highlighting the importance of continued vaccination efforts.