Islamabad (Web Desk/Agencies): Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar on Monday launched the five-day anti-polio drive targeting around 44 million children across the country.
The premier initiated the campaign by administering anti-polio vaccine oral drops and vitamin A to children, at the Prime Minister's (PM) House in Islamabad.
Speaking on the occasion, PM Kakar said 350,000 polio workers would participate in the drive to administer anti-polio vaccine to 44 million children aged 0-5 years.
He termed the polio workers as the nation’s heroes who braved challenges while making the anti-polio drive successful. He also mentioned the support of the international partners in helping Pakistan to eradicate polio.
PM Kakar urged the religious scholars and clerics to play their role in convincing the parents to get their children administered with anti-polio vaccine.
“It is our religious, moral, and social responsibility to save our future generations from this crippling disease,” he said, stressing that have to make Pakistan free from polio.
Meanwhile, Caretaker Minister for Health Services Dr Nadeem Jan has urged parents to fully cooperate with the vaccination teams and ensure that their children are vaccinated.
In Punjab, the polio immunization campaign will be continued for seven days in Rawalpindi, Lahore and Faisalabad, and five days in other districts.
In a statement, Caretaker Punjab Minister for Primary and Secondary Health Care Dr Jamal Nasir said during the polio campaign, 21.2 million children will be vaccinated and 204000 polio workers will participate in the campaign.
In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), the campaign has been launched in five divisions including Peshawar, Malakand, Hazara, Mardan and Kohat Divisions.
More than 7 million children up to five years of age being inoculated during this phase of vaccination.
The second phase of the anti-polio drive will begin from next Monday in Bannu and Dera Ismail Khan divisions.
