Centre, provincial govts to eradicate polio: PM Shehbaz

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday said that he had the conviction that all the provincial governments, along with the federal government, will continue collaborating to eradicate polio forever.

The prime minister inaugurated a three-day nationwide anti-polio drive by administering polio drops to children.

In a brief ceremony held here, the prime minister said that a nationwide drive was being started to overcome resurfacing of polio cases.

The prime minister said that floods in the summer season had disrupted the national drive, but despite all those difficulties, the polio workers carried out the onus with their hard work and commitment. He further observed that unfortunately, Pakistan was among the few countries where polio cases had resurfaced.

A few years back, during the government of Muhammad Nawaz Sharif, these cases were completely eradicated, he added.

The prime minister said about 20 cases of polio were reported from Waziristan, but due to consistent efforts, these were restricted and controlled and did not spread to other parts.

The prime minister also lauded those front-line workers and law enforcement agencies personnel who had laid down their lives for achieving the objective and embraced Shahadat. He said that their sacrifices would always be remembered.

Resurfacing of few cases had certainly raised concerns among the partners including Bill Gates Foundation, World Health Organisation (WHO) and other stakeholders, he added. The prime minister said that during a telephonic conversation, Bill Gates had expressed his commitment to support the government’s efforts to eliminate the disease.

The prime minister also expressed his gratitude to the WHO, stakeholders, related departments, law enforcement personnel and daughters of the nation for their continuing efforts and commitments.

The prime minister mentioned that he had held meetings with the federal health ministry officials and others, whereas the federal and provincial governments were all supporting these efforts.

He expressed the confidence that they would control the disease with collective efforts.

Earlier, the prime minister gave away certificates to the best-performing polio workers.