Islamabad (Web Desk): Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar has directed the authorities concerned to devise a comprehensive emergency plan for 2024 for polio eradication from the country.
Chairing a meeting of Anti-Polio Taskforce in Islamabad today (Wednesday), he further issued the directives for preparing an integrated program on an emergency basis in high-risk areas of polio virus.
The prime minister also emphasized the need to use modern technology for improving the monitoring of immunization programme.
PM Kakar directed the Ministry of National Health Services to constitute a committee for preparing an action plan in line with best international practices and research in inactivated polio vaccine.
Expressing his apprehension over the recently reported cases of polio disease in the country, the Prime Minister said it is a matter of concern that polio is still present in Pakistan.
He said all stakeholders including scholars, teachers and parents should be included in the anti-polio awareness campaign.
The premier also called for holding conventions of scholars to highlight the important role of scholars in anti-polio campaign.
PM Kakar directed the relevant authorities to ensure foolproof security of polio workers during the anti-polio campaigns.
The meeting was briefed that special polio health camps have been established in the high risk zone of Dera Ismail Khan, Bannu, Lakki Marwat and Tank.
It was further informed that 44 million children have been vaccinated so far in recent anti-polio campaigns.
The meeting was apprised that Punjab, Balochistan, Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir are polio-free regions, while polio teams have been deputed at repatriation centers established for illegally residing Afghans in Peshawar Nowshera and Chaman.
The meeting was attended by interim federal health minister Dr Nadeem Jan, caretaker chief minister KP Justice (retired) Arshad Hussain Shah, senior officials of National Task Force, chief secretaries and officials of law enforcement agencies.