Women polio workers manhandled

CM Maryam Nawaz orders enhanced security for vaccination teams

LAHORE:

Female polio workers were beaten up and locked in classrooms by the staff in a private school in Gulberb during a vaccination campaign.

The incident prompted Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz to order a high level investigation and full protection for all polio teams.

According to reports, the women-led vaccination team arrived at the school as part of the injectable polio vaccine campaign launched in 122 high-risk union councils of Lahore. Soon after entering the premises, the health workers were allegedly physically assaulted, verbally abused and locked in rooms by the school administration.

Audio messages surfaced from the scene with one of the terrified polio workers crying for help.

The team later alleged that a man named Waqar, affiliated with the school, and his sister had manhandled the workers.

Local authorities and police reached the spot to rescue the team.

Lahore Health Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Dr Asif Khan Niazi confirmed that a first information report (FIR) had been lodged against those responsible.

"This is a shameful act. Our polio teams are performing a service to protect our children. We will not tolerate such behaviour and strict legal action is under way," he said.

Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz directed the health department to submit a comprehensive report and ordered immediate security measures for ongoing vaccination drives.

"Any attack on polio teams is an attack on public health. The government stands firmly with its frontline workers," the CM stated.

The assault came on the day the provincial health authorities launched the injectable polio vaccine campaign.

The drive aims to vaccinate 1.6 million children aged between four months and 15 years in Lahore by November 12.

Punjab Minister for Primary and Secondary Healthcare Khawaja Imran Nazeer said while launching the campaign that Punjab has made substantial progress in disease surveillance and immunity but acknowledged that resistance from communities and violence against health teams remain major obstacles.

"We must remain vigilant as every unvaccinated child is a potential risk. The virus travels across borders and we cannot allow ignorance to undo our hard work," he warned.

He urged parents to cooperate fully, calling repeated refusals a "national threat."

Health Secretary Nadia Saqib emphasised that the province has undergone four major anti-polio campaigns this year, with real-time monitoring and accountability systems ensuring rapid response to any setback. "With the CM's personal supervision, we have strengthened coordination and introduced innovative tools to ensure that no child is missed," she added.

The official underlined that the fIPV injection provides an extra layer of protection for children, particularly in areas where traces of poliovirus have been found in sewage samples.

Punjab Polio Programme head Adeel Tasawur also condemned the incident, terming it an "attack on Pakistan's fight against polio."

He vowed that such intimidation will not stop the mission. "Punjab is closer than ever to interrupting virus transmission. Our vaccinators are heroes, and we stand with them," he said.