Coordinator to Prime Minister for Health Dr Mukhtar Ahmad Bharath on Tuesday visited the National Emergency Operation Center for Polio as part of a briefing on the ongoing polio campaign.
The session highlighted the critical measures being taken to ensure that no child under the age of five is left unvaccinated during the current campaign.
Ayesha Raza Farooq, the Prime Minister’s focal person for polio, was also present at the briefing. Speaking on the occasion, Dr Mukhtar reiterated the government’s commitment to eradicating polio from the country.
‘Under the leadership of the Prime Minister, we are firmly dedicated to the eradication of polio,’ he emphasized, and outlined the comprehensive strategy developed to combat polio, particularly from the high-risk districts and union councils.
The polio campaign is set to run from September 9 to September 15 across 115 districts, during which an estimated 30 million children under five years of age will receive life-saving polio vaccine drops.
Dr Mukhtar noted the crucial role of 286,000 polio workers who will go door to door to administer the vaccine during the campaign. ‘Our frontline polio workers are the real heroes in this battle,’ he said.
Dr Mukhtar called upon parents to ensure their children receive the polio drops, reminding them that the fight against polio cannot be won without their cooperation.
‘For the safe future of your children, please support the polio eradication teams,’ he urged, speaking on the moral and religious duty to eliminate the disease.
Furthermore, he appealed to parents, civil society, media, religious scholars, and community leaders to play their vital roles in this campaign. ‘The eradication of polio is not just a health issue; it is our religious and ethical responsibility,’ he maintained.
He said we are working urgently, in collaboration with both federal and provincial authorities, to ensure a polio-free future for our children.