Pakistan begins last polio drive of 2024 amid surge in cases

As the polio cases soared to 63 this year, the federal government is all set to begin its last vaccination drive of 2024 across 143 districts in the country from Dec.16 to 22.

Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif on Sunday formally inaugurated a nationwide anti-polio campaign, administering polio drops to children under the age of five. He reaffirmed his government’s determination to eliminate the disease from Pakistan.

Addressing the launch ceremony, Sharif expressed concern over the rise in polio cases, with 60 new infections reported this year. However, he assured the nation that collaborative efforts by federal and provincial governments would overcome the challenge.

Shahbaz also welcomed international partners including Bill Gates-founded Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the World Health Organisation (WHO), and Saudi Arabia for assisting Pakistan in the fight against polio. He said that the Saudi crown prince’s role was appreciable for polio eradication in Pakistan.

“I especially thank the government of Saudi Arabia and Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman, for his very valuable contribution towards eradicating polio not only in Pakistan but also Afghanistan, and of course, I deeply appreciate the efforts of Bill Gates Foundation, WHO and I want to assure you that together we will march forward and will not rest until polio is thrown out for all times to come,” he added.

During the inauguration, the prime minister highlighted the growing concern of rising polio cases, with around 60 new reported cases, but assured that with the combined efforts of the federal and provincial governments, the country would overcome this challenge.

PM’s Coordinator on National Health Services Dr Mukhtar Bharath said around 44 million children will be reached out across Pakistan during this last polio eradication drive of the year.

The provincial distribution of polio cases this year includes 26 in Balochistan, 18 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 17 in Sindh, and one each in Punjab and Islamabad, according to the National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC). He urged the parents to ensure vaccination of their children to protect them from polio. The premier also thanked the efforts of polio workers taking part in the immunisation campaign and the cooperation of law enforcement agencies to ensure the safe conduct of the nationwide anti-polio drive.

Speaking on the occasion, PM’s Focal Person on Polio Eradication Ayesha Raza Farooq said around 400,000 polio workers across 143 districts of the country will visit every household to administer polio drops to children below five years.

She requested the parents to open their doors and fully cooperate with the polio teams in this campaign.

She noted that the premier’s continuous involvement in the anti-polio efforts served as a testament to his commitment to safeguarding the health of Pakistan’s children.

She assured that the campaign would leave no stone unturned in its efforts to ensure that every child is vaccinated against the disease.

In a pre-recorded message earlier on Sunday, the PM’s focal person expressed an aim to ensure access to free-of-cost, completely safe and effective polio vaccinations to all children aged up to five years. She also said that it was essential to complete the course of vaccinations for immunisation to protect against other deadly diseases alongside polio.

Ayesha Farooq also paid tribute to frontline polio workers who are serving the nation in difficult conditions in the ongoing struggle against the contagious disease.

The highly contagious viral disease predominantly affects children under five, particularly those with weak immunity or inadequate vaccination.

With over 60% of children affected by polio in 2024 having not received routine immunisation, health authorities established a high-level committee to improve coordination between the Polio Eradication Initiative (PEI) and the Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI).

The committee, led by PM’s Coordinator for Health Services Dr Malik Muhtar Ahmed Barath, includes provincial health directors and representatives from international organisations like WHO, UNICEF, CDC, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Agencies