Federal Health Minister Syed Mustafa Kamal said on Sunday that elimination of polio is a national priority, adding that a “modern, integrated strategy” is needed to achieve polio -free Pakistan, which is meant to address all the challenges.
Pakistan, along with Afghanistan, is one of the last two countries in the world, where polio remains locally, most of the disease affects children under the age of five, and sometimes causes stroke for a lifetime. Despite global efforts to eradicate the virus, challenges such as security issues, vaccinations and false information have slowed progress.
During his visit to the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) for polio today to review the ongoing polio efforts, the federal minister said, “Elimination of polio has become a national priority.”
According to a press release issued by the Ministry of Health, Kamal said, “A modern, integrated strategy is needed to achieve polio -free Pakistan, which is dealing with all the challenges.”
Expressing concern over the refusal of the vaccine, the Minister of Health requested a detailed report on families who deny the vaccination.
The press release states that he recognized the dedication of frontline workers and district administration in the fight against polio and emphasized the need to utilize all available resources to eliminate the virus.
The minister confirmed the government’s commitment to support Sindh in its efforts to eradicate polio, especially stating that four of the six cases of polio were reported from the province in 2025.
“He expressed deep concern over 43,000 parents in Sindh – only about 42 42,000 in Karachi – who have refused to drop their children,” he said.
The press release states that the minister urged parents to receive polio drops to their children during the next national polio campaign in April.
Kamal was cited as a press release, “With the help of parents, we can get rid of the polio country once and for all.”
The Health Minister also expressed concern over the “permanent presence” of polio virus in Karachi’s dirty drainage samples.
He emphasized the need to intensify the community’s more effective engagement and vaccination efforts.
According to the press release, Provincial EOC Coordinator Irshad Ali Sudhar said, “All stakeholders in Karachi are working together to devise a strategy that ensures that a child has been abandoned.”
He added that the federal and provincial governments are determined to take all necessary steps to eradicate polio, and reinforce their dedication to a healthy and polio -free future.
Earlier this week, the Federal Minister announced that the eradication of polio would be considered a national responsibility and that it had pledged to take every possible step in making the country free from the virus.
Polio, which is a highly infectious viral disease, attacks the nervous system and can cause stroke or even death. Although there is no polio cure, the most effective way to protect children from this disabled disease.
Repeated security vaccines have protected millions of children from polio, allowing almost all countries in the world to become polio -free.
