PM Kakar expresses resolve to achieve dream of polio-free Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: Caretaker Prime Minister (PM) Anwaarul Haq Kakar on Tuesday vowed to resist individuals propagating against the polio vaccination, expressing resolve to achieve the dream of polio-free Pakistan, ARY News reported.

The prime minister made these remarks while addressing an event organized by the Pakistan Polio Programme to pay homage to the resilience and dedication of frontline workers on World Polio Day which is commemorated on October 24 every year.

Federal Health Minister Dr Nadeem Jan, Federal Health Secretary Iftikhar Ali Shallwani, representatives of polio partners Rotary, WHO and UNICEF, and frontline workers and their families were in attendance.

“I can assure that we going to achieve the dream of a polio-free Pakistan. We will never step back, maybe an inch, maybe a foot or maybe a mile. This will always be a forth-going journey,” the prime minister.

PM Kakar said by opposing the polio vaccine, the anti-vaxxers, intentionally or unintentionally, were partnering with the forces of darkness.

He emphasised the role of faith leaders and society to make such people realise that they were actually partnering with the destroyer of humans. “This is unacceptable. We will resist this,” he resolved.

He expressed his gratitude to the global partners who continued to support Pakistan in its andeavour of polio eradication.

Recognising the sacrifices of the polio workers and the security personnel guarding them, the prime minister said they had paid the highest price for the cause.

PM Kakar said the frontline health workers were the heroes of Pakistan, who were working in challenging environments, facing social barriers and even threats to their safety without ever losing their dedication.

The prime minister recognised the services of three police constables who were martyred while on polio duty and to two vaccinators who were injured.

He also presented appreciation shields to the former coordinator of the Sindh EOC, Fayyaz Abbasi and the family of Huma Ashraf, who was severely injured in a train accident while on polio duty in September.

The prime minister also announced to personally visit Huma as a gesture to recognise her services in the mission of polio-free Pakistan.

“Today is a day to remember how far we have come and how crucial polio eradication efforts remain. Pakistan cannot be the reason to hold the world back. We must move forward to 2024 with the realization that the weight of global eradication lies on our shoulders. We must leave no room for the virus to spread and reach every child with the vaccine before the virus has a chance to permanently change their lives,” he remarked.

It is pertinent to mention here that Pakistan’s fourth polio case of the year 2023 had been confirmed in Karachi.

The health ministry on October 21 confirmed, that the polio virus was found in a 2-year child from UC Gujro in Gadap Town of Karachi East.

“Poliovirus has been confirmed in two-year Afghan child crippled by the virus on October 03,” health ministry sources said.

“This week presence of polio virus was confirmed in sewerage samples of Karachi East,” sources said. “Total 48 sewerage samples were confirmed positive this year”.

Pakistan earlier registered three polio cases since January, a blow to the goal of eradicating disease that affects the nervous system and can cause severe paralysis in children.

In the year 2022, as many as 20 cases of poliovirus were reported across the country. Pakistan was come near to eradication of disease in year 2021 when only one case was reported in the country.

Pakistan and Afghanistan are the only two countries in the world where polio continues to threaten the health and well-being of children.