Federal Health Minister Syed Mustafa Kamal reviewed the national polio eradication campaign at the National Emergency Operations Centre, receiving a briefing that 19.8 million children in 81 high-risk districts were vaccinated during a recent week-long drive, with a separate campaign now under way in South Khyber Pakhtunkhwa targeting more than 1.685 million children. He emphasized the government’s priority to eradicate polio, ordered targeted measures to overcome refusals, urged robust communication to counter misinformation, and paid tribute to polio workers who have died in the line of duty.
During the review meeting at the National Emergency Operations Centre for Polio Eradication, Minister Kamal was briefed by National Coordinator Anwar ul Haq on the results of the latest vaccination campaign. The briefing detailed the scale of the operation and the districts reached, and outlined plans for follow-up activities.
The campaign vaccinated 19.8 million children across 81 high-risk districts. A separate campaign in South Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has begun, aiming to reach more than 1.685 million children in that area.
To address operational challenges, the minister directed that local personnel be deployed in areas with persistent refusal cases. He noted that concentrating efforts on households with known refusals can improve coverage and urged teams to prioritize those clusters.
Minister Kamal stressed the importance of strategic communication to ensure households receive accurate information before vaccination teams arrive. He warned the public not to be swayed by misinformation, reaffirming that the polio vaccine is safe and has been central to eradication efforts worldwide.
Paying tribute to frontline workers, the minister honored the hundreds of polio workers who have lost their lives while serving this campaign, highlighting their exceptional dedication.
He reiterated the Government of Pakistan’s commitment to protecting children’s health and achieving a polio-free nation through coordinated and sustained efforts.
