K-P govt to deny birth, death, marriage certificates to families refusing polio vaccine

The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) government has introduced a new policy, deciding not to issue birth, death, and marriage certificates to families who have refused the polio vaccination, Express News reported.

In a bid to enhance the success of the ongoing polio eradication campaign, the provincial government has made it mandatory for individuals to receive polio drops before obtaining these vital documents.

The directive, which primarily targets areas around Peshawar and village councils, aims to ensure that children in these regions are vaccinated against the disease. The decision comes as part of the government's continued efforts to curb the spread of polio in the province.

A notification from the Deputy Commissioner (DC) of Peshawar, which was forwarded to the District Health Officer (DHO) and Medical Officer (MO), warns that any violations of this directive will result in disciplinary action.

"This decision will ensure that every child is immunised, and we are taking all necessary steps to safeguard future generations from polio," said a spokesperson from the health department.

Polio vaccination has been a long-standing issue in parts of Pakistan, with the country still facing challenges in completely eradicating the virus. The new measure is expected to incentivise compliance and improve vaccination rates.

The policy is being closely watched by both local and international health organisations as a potential model to accelerate polio eradication in other regions of the country.