Health Minister warns Pakistan may fall behind Afghanistan in polio eradication
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif inaugurated a nationwide seven-day anti-polio campaign on Sunday by personally administering polio drops to children at a public event.
Speaking at the launch, the Prime Minister urged parents across the country to cooperate fully with field teams to ensure every child receives the vaccine. He emphasized that eradicating the poliovirus in Pakistan is within reach if the nation unites in its efforts.
PM Shehbaz expressed confidence in the current anti-polio strategy and assured that strong security measures are in place to protect frontline health workers. He also highlighted the vital importance of raising public awareness and mobilizing communities in the fight against polio.
The Prime Minister extended his gratitude to international partners—especially the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation—for their continuous support in Pakistan’s battle against the disease.
Meanwhile, Health Minister Syed Mustafa Kamal, speaking at a Health Research Advisory Board event in Karachi, admitted that while Pakistan is making strides in healthcare research, the real challenge lies in effective implementation.
He warned that Afghanistan appears to be making faster progress toward polio eradication, raising concerns that it might surpass Pakistan in this critical public health goal. “I sincerely hope both countries can achieve this milestone together,” Kamal said, stressing the need for better coordination and more determined action.
