Final Anti-Polio Campaign 2023 Launched to Combat Rising Infections in Pakistan

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has officially launched the final anti-polio campaign of 2023 amid increasing concerns over a spike in polio cases across the country. The campaign, which commences on Monday, December 16, aims to address the alarming rise in infections, with a focus on immunising children in 143 districts nationwide. During the launch ceremony held in Islamabad, PM Shehbaz expressed his determination to combat the disease, stating, "We will win this war (against polio) despite the difficulties faced in the past." The prime minister highlighted the seriousness of the situation, noting that approximately 63 cases have been reported in Pakistan this year, marking a significant challenge in the nation's ongoing efforts to eradicate polio. As part of the ceremony, PM Shehbaz took the initiative to personally administer polio drops to children, underlining the importance of direct engagement in the vaccination process. He urged parents to play a crucial role in the campaign by ensuring that their children receive the polio vaccine. "I would like to respectfully request the parents to help us in this campaign and by giving polio drops to their children to safeguard their future," he said. Acknowledging the support of international partners, including the Bill Gates Foundation, the World Health Organisation, and the Government of Saudi Arabia, PM Shehbaz emphasized that collective efforts are vital for the eradication of the virus. The rise in polio cases this year has been troubling, with the virus now detected in 83 districts, including the previously uninfected Charsada in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The breakdown of the reported cases reveals a significant concentration in Balochistan (26 cases), Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (18), Sindh (17), with one case each reported from Punjab and Islamabad. Prime Minister's Focal Person for Polio Eradication, Ayesha Raza Farooq, reinforced the importance of the campaign in her pre-recorded message, stating that the last anti-polio campaign of the year will run from December 16 to 22. She highlighted that over 44 million children are targeted for vaccination during this campaign. Farooq urged parents to welcome polio workers into their homes, assuring them that the vaccine is safe, effective, and provided free of charge. Farooq also paid tribute to the frontline workers who continue to serve in challenging conditions, calling them the "real heroes" in the fight against polio. Poliovirus transmission typically peaks during the warmer months, with a decline in activity during colder seasons. The current spike in cases indicates the need for sustained efforts, particularly as Pakistan remains one of the last two countries in the world, alongside Afghanistan, where polio is still endemic. The disease primarily affects children under five, often resulting in lifelong paralysis. The upcoming campaign is part of a series of nationwide vaccination efforts, with the previous campaign held in late October aimed at vaccinating over 45 million children under five years old. With the clock ticking, health authorities are calling for immediate action to prevent further infections and safeguard the health of future generations.