Karachi, Bibi Aseefa Bhutto Zardari stressed the urgency of eradicating polio from Pakistan, highlighting the nation’s latest polio statistics, including 53 positive environmental samples and four confirmed cases in 2023. She underscored the continuous efforts made by the Sindh government under the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leadership, which witnessed no polio cases in the region for three consecutive years.
According to a news release by the Pakistan People’s Party, Ms. Zardari’s message came in observance of World Polio Day. Of the four polio cases reported this year, three originate from KP and one from Sindh, as updated on 20th October 2023. Emphasizing the necessity of administering polio drops to children under five years old, she asserted that comprehensive vaccination is essential to halt the disease’s proliferation in Pakistan.
The PPP-led Sindh government, responding to polio challenges, has initiated various campaigns against the disease. These efforts encompass providing communities with water filtration plants, model EPI centers, experimental dispensaries, and mother-child health facilities, particularly focusing on high-risk areas. Such initiatives aim not only to administer vaccines but also to enhance the overall health infrastructure, including improved water and sanitation.
Polio workers, the frontline warriors in this battle, have been lauded by Ms. Zardari for their unwavering dedication to reaching every child under five and ensuring their immunization against this debilitating disease. Their commitment remains instrumental in the vision of a polio-free Pakistan.
Reiterating the gravity of polio – a disease with severe repercussions like paralysis and lifelong disability but preventable through timely vaccination – Ms. Zardari urged citizens to cooperate with polio workers. She highlighted that the vaccine remains the safest measure against the disease, emphasizing its preventive nature in the absence of a cure. With collective diligence, she hopes to realize the vision of making polio history in Pakistan.