PM vows to resist anti-vaxxers to achieve dream of polio-free Pakistan

ISLAMABAD, Oct 24 (DNA): Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar on
Tuesday vowing to resist the individuals propagating against the polio
vaccination, resolved to achieve the dream of polio-free Pakistan by
carrying forward the journey with unshakeable commitment.

“I can assure that we gonna have it. We will realise this dream. We will
never step back, may be an inch, may be a foot or may be a mile. This
will always be a forth-going journey,” the prime minister remarked
addressing a ceremony to mark the World Polio Day.

The event was organised by the Pakistan Polio Programme to pay homage to
the resilience and dedication of frontline workers on World Polio Day
which is commemorated on October 24 every year.

Federal Health Minister Dr Nadeem Jan, Federal Health Secretary Iftikhar
Ali Shallwani, representatives of polio partners Rotary, WHO and UNICEF,
and frontline workers and their families were in attendance. The prime
minister said by opposing the polio vaccine, the anti-vaxxers,
intentionally or unintentionally, were partnering with the forces of
darkness.

He emphasised the role of faith leaders and the society to make such
people realise that they were actually partnering with the destroyer of
the humans. This is unacceptable. We will resist this,” he resolved.

He expressed his gratitude to the global partners who continued to
supporting Pakistan in its andeavour of polio eradication. Recognising
the sacrifices of the polio workers and the security personnel guarding
them, the prime minister said they had paid the highest price for the
cause.

He said the frontline health workers were the heroes of Pakistan, who
were working in challenging environments, facing social barriers and
even threats to their safety without ever losing their dedication.

The prime minister recognised the services of three police constables
who were martyred while on polio duty and to two vaccinators who were
injured. He also presented appreciation shields to the former
coordinator of the Sindh EOC, Fayyaz Abbasi and the family of Huma
Ashraf, who was severely injured in a train accident while on polio duty
in September. The prime minister also announced to personally visit Huma
as a gesture to recognise her services in the mission of polio-free
Pakistan.

“Today is a day to remember how far we have come and how crucial polio
eradication efforts remain. Pakistan cannot be the reason to hold the
world back. We must move forward to 2024 with the realization that the
weight of global eradication lies on our shoulders. We must leave no
room for the virus to spread and reach every child with the vaccine
before the virus has a chance to permanently change their lives,” he
remarked.

Caretaker Health Minister Nadeem Jan, in his address, paid homage to the
polio workers who were striving to accomplish the mission of polio-free
Pakistan while facing many odds and hardships. He emphasised that the
community health workers should be acknowledged and honored as
motivation would be enhanced their performance.

He called for changing the narrative from “Pak Fights Polio” to
“Pakistan Winning Over Polio.” He expressed the hope that the World
Polio Day next year would mark the complete eradiation of polio from
Pakistan.

Federal Health Secretary Iftikhar Shallwani said the campaign was
started in 1994 and continued across Pakistan with dedication to date
with support from the aid agencies. Besides the polio drive, other
related subjects including maternal and neonatal healthcare were also
worked on, he added.

WHO Representative in Pakistan Palitha Mahipala said the Day was
observed to commemorate the global journey. He said the Polio
eradication was one of the major commitments made by the WHO which
provided technical support to Pakistan. He said the day was not far when
Pakistan would get rid of the crippling disease within next few years as
the number of paralysis had sharply declined.

Unicef Chief Polio Officer Melissa Corkum said the credit for the
successes went to the health workers who despite challenges went door to
door in every campaign. She said the Day was not only to commemorate the
successes but also to remember those who sacrificed their lives during
the struggle. DNA