Door-to-door vaccination drive spans 159 districts, aiming to combat the persistent threat of polio in the country.
In a proactive move to safeguard the health of its youngest citizens, Pakistan is set to kick off a nationwide anti-polio campaign on Monday, with the ambitious goal of inoculating more than 42 million children aged five or below.
Polio teams, meticulously organized by federal and provincial health departments, will embark on a comprehensive door-to-door vaccination effort covering all 159 districts of the country. The initiative aims to create a robust defense against the persistent threat of polio, with health authorities emphasizing the importance of reaching every eligible child.
The week-long campaign in Punjab alone is projected to administer polio drops to over 23 million children. Meanwhile, Sindh is gearing up to vaccinate nearly 10.03 million children during its week-long drive. In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, a five-day initiative will target over 7.4 million children, while Balochistan aims to inoculate 2.5 million children in its week-long campaign.
Even in the remote regions of Gilgit-Baltistan, over 250,000 children will be the focus of a dedicated five-day vaccination effort.
To ensure the success of this crucial campaign, health authorities have established a helpline (1166) for parents to contact in case an anti-polio vaccination team misses their home. This proactive measure reflects the government’s commitment to leaving no child behind in the fight against polio.
It’s worth noting that Pakistan, along with Afghanistan, remains one of the last bastions where polio poses a threat to the health and well-being of children. This nationwide campaign underscores the collective effort to eradicate polio and create a healthier future for the next generation.
As Pakistan takes this significant step, the international community closely watches, hoping for a successful and impactful outcome in the ongoing battle against polio.
