ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Health Syed Mustafa Kamal on Monday urged the public to reject baseless misconceptions about the polio vaccine, saying that while diseases like cancer have treatment options, polio has no cure and can only be prevented through timely immunization.
Speaking at a press conference at the National Emergency Operation Center (EOC) in Islamabad after chairing a high-level meeting on polio eradication, Kamal called for national unity to eliminate the virus from Pakistan. “When there’s a cricket match with India, the entire nation unites. We need the same unity to fight polio,” he remarked.
The minister noted that Pakistan remains one of only two countries in the world, along with Afghanistan, where polio continues to circulate. “We have reported six cases of polio so far this year. Many sewage samples across different regions are still testing positive for poliovirus,” he said.
He emphasized that the upcoming anti-polio drive, scheduled from April 21 to 27, would vaccinate over 45 million children across the country. “More than 400,000 trained frontline workers will go door to door to administer oral polio drops. The government will ensure their safety,” Kamal assured.
He dismissed the common myth that polio vaccination has religious implications or causes harm. “The Taliban government in Afghanistan is also vaccinating children. Religion has nothing to do with polio eradication,” Kamal stated, underlining that those refusing drops due to misinformation were putting their children’s future at risk.
Highlighting his commitment since taking office, Kamal said he contacted health ministers from all four provinces immediately after assuming his role and was coordinating closely to ensure the success of the campaign. “Through effective planning, we will rid the country of polio,” he said confidently.
He also pointed out that despite widespread awareness, some parents still refuse to allow polio workers to vaccinate their children. “It is unfortunate that in some households, our teams face resistance. This attitude must change.”
The health minister stressed that complete elimination of polio required national solidarity and the optimal use of available resources. “We are taking all necessary steps to improve the healthcare sector, and polio eradication remains a top priority,” he concluded.
Kamal reaffirmed that this year’s campaign would be synchronized with Afghanistan’s efforts, maximizing the impact across both borders. “For the first time this year, Pakistan and Afghanistan will begin and end the campaign together. This is a significant move.”
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