Federal Health Minister Mustafa Kamal has emphasized that efforts to eradicate polio must rise above political differences, stating that the disease was eliminated globally through the same vaccine currently being used.
Addressing the National Emergency Operations Center, the minister announced the launch of the third nationwide anti-polio campaign in the country. He highlighted that, for the second time, Pakistan and Afghanistan are conducting the campaign simultaneously—an indication of the regional commitment to ending the disease.
He appealed to parents to overcome doubts and misconceptions about the vaccine. He urged resistant parents to understand that the government would never act against the interests of children. “Why would we risk our afterlife?” he asked, stressing that the entire world has overcome polio through this vaccine, which remains the only way to prevent the disease. He warned that contracting polio can lead to lifelong disability.
Following his speech, Federal Minister Mustafa Kamal formally inaugurated the campaign by administering polio drops to children. The nationwide anti-polio drive aims to vaccinate over 45 million children under the age of five. More than 400,000 health workers across the country will go door-to-door to ensure every child receives the vaccine.
