Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has said that the government stands committed to ending polio in Pakistan and promised to intensify efforts and work tirelessly toward a polio-free country.
Chairing a high-level meeting before leaving for Saudi Arabia to take part in the 8th Edition of the Future Investment Initiative (FII), the prime minister stressed the need for coordinated action to tackle this persistent challenge. He said the government would not rest until polio was completely eliminated from the country. Reviewing the situation, he acknowledged the efforts made so far by the government’s anti-polio squad, but directed further actions for increasing the campaign’s reach and effectiveness.
He tasked National Health Coordinator Dr Mukhtar Ahmed Bharath, Polio Focal Person Ayesha Raza Farooq, and other officials of the health department with visiting areas most affected by recent polio outbreaks. He also called for a third-party audit of the ongoing anti-polio campaign in order to ensure transparency and improve performance.
Leaves for Saudi Arabia to participate in 8th Edition of Future Investment Initiative conference
Shehbaz Sharif also ordered officials concerned to develop a strategy that focuses on closing the immunity gap, which according to him is a critical issue impacting certain vulnerable regions. Health officials present at the meeting provided an update on the current polio situation in Pakistan and informed participants as many as 41 active cases had been reported so far this year.
The meeting was informed that areas with low routine immunization coverage were particularly concerning, as 25 of the current cases emerged in those areas alone. It was also told that polio prevalence tends to be lower in regions with high vaccination rates. The participants stressed the need for reaching every child to contain the virus’s spread. Alongside Health Ministry officials, senior government officials also attended the briefing and discussed ways to enhance the anti-polio efforts and reduce the risk of further outbreaks.
It may be mentioned here that the prime minister will reach Riyadh shortly, where he will participate in the two-day Future Investment Initiative event starting today. The theme for this year’s edition is “Infinite Horizons: Investing Today, Shaping Tomorrow”, which will call for investments by participating countries towards education, healthcare, and energy, besides addressing issues in the fields of artificial intelligence, robotics, space, and sustainability. Shehbaz Sharif will highlight Pakistan’s strengths in these fields and discuss ways to ensure a sustainable future, not just for the country but for the entire globe.
While in Saudi Arabia, the prime minister is also expected to engage in talks with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman as well as other senior officials. He will also meet global leaders on the sidelines of the conference to woo potential investors.
Campaign in Punjab
Meanwhile, over in Lahore, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif kicked off the anti-polio vaccination drive by administering anti-polio drops to children at the Services Institute of Medical Sciences (SIMS). Speaking on the occasion, she urged parents to make sure their children are vaccinated to shield them from the risk of lifelong disability.
Maryam Nawaz interacted with the children and distributed candies among them. She also appreciated the anti-polio workers for their efforts and urging them to continue their work with dedication.
While giving a briefing to the chief minister on the vaccination efforts, officials said that the anti-polio campaign across Punjab would run from October 28 to November 3, with an estimated 20 million children expected to receive the vaccine. In major cities like Lahore, Rawalpindi, and Faisalabad, the anti-polio drive will extend to seven days, while in other districts, it will last for five days.
Maryam Nawaz was also briefed on the advanced tracking system being used to ensure every child is vaccinated. The Synergy Evaluation System Application is being utilized to identify children who might have missed out on vaccinations. This technology will enable staff to swiftly follow-up and increase coverage.
It may be mentioned here that the Lahore police have taken proactive measures to support the vaccination teams during the campaign. Capital City Police Officer Bilal Siddique Kamyana has announced that 498 motorcycle squads and 83 mobile patrol units had been deployed specifically for protecting the anti-polio teams as they go door-to-door, the state-run Associated Press of Pakistan news wire reported.
According to the security plan, 1,000 police personnel and 381 senior subordinates have been mobilized for the purpose. In addition to that, designated divisional focal persons are overseeing security measures for the weeklong campaign. To further strengthen the workers’ safety, the Lahore Safe City Authority’s cameras will provide real-time surveillance throughout the city.