ISLAMABAD, Feb 12 (APP):State Minister for National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination, Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed Thursday said that eradicating polio is not solely the responsibility of the Health Ministry but a shared duty of the entire parliament and every citizen.
Responding to a calling attention notice regarding the emergence of new polio cases in the country, he said that Pakistan and Afghanistan remain the only countries with confirmed polio cases, while the virus’s resurgence in some other nations is also a cause for concern.
Dr. Ahmed clarified that vaccination campaigns alone are insufficient to eliminate polio. Complementary measures, including routine immunization, improved nutrition, and access to clean water and sanitation systems, are essential.
He highlighted that the country’s routine immunization coverage currently stands at around 60 percent and needs to be raised above 90 percent.
The minister assured that the effectiveness, cold chain maintenance, and quality of polio vaccines are rigorously tested at all levels, including through third-party validation.
He added that vaccines maintain their efficacy even in extremely hot regions, and polio workers receive thorough training, particularly in monitoring vaccine usability through color changes in Vaccine Vial Monitors (VVMs).
He explained that the goal of polio eradication is not only to reduce cases to zero but also to ensure that environmental samples, such as sewage tests, show no presence of the virus.
Recent reports indicate negative environmental samples from across Punjab, with positive progress observed in Peshawar and the Hazara Division. Balochistan has shown notable improvement over the past year, reporting zero cases this year, down from over 20 previously.
Regarding funding, Dr. Ahmed added that the Government of Pakistan fully finances polio vaccine procurement and will continue to do so. UNICEF and the World Health Organization support awareness campaigns and provide honoraria for polio workers. The government plans to engage the private sector in hard-to-reach areas, linking results to a database and making payments based on performance.
He added that Balochistan and Punjab have strengthened vaccination efforts through Community Health Inspectors and Lady Health Worker programs. Additional measures are ongoing in Sindh, particularly Karachi, due to the continued presence of the virus.
Responding to another question, Parliamentary Secretary for National Health, Dr. Nelson Azeem, highlighted a significant decline in polio cases across Pakistan, attributing the progress to government initiatives and a well-executed strategy.
Dr. Azeem added that the Prime Minister personally chairs the Emergency Polio Eradication Task Force meetings and regularly reviews progress. He emphasized that this continuous oversight and coordinated approach have led to a clear reduction in virus transmission.
Highlighting provincial progress, he said no polio cases have been reported in Balochistan over the past 14 months, Punjab has remained polio-free for 11 months, and Sindh has recorded no new cases in the last five months. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is also showing improvement, contributing to an overall decrease in virus spread nationwide.
He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to completely eradicating polio and said vaccination campaigns are being strengthened and expanded for greater effectiveness.
Praising the efforts of the Prime Minister and the Health Minister, Dr. Azeem said that under their leadership, Pakistan is moving closer to achieving its polio-free goal.
The Parliamentary Secretary expressed optimism that if the current momentum continues, Pakistan could soon declare itself polio-free.