LAHORE: Punjab has become the polio-free province after all environmental samples collected from the sewerage water from different cities tested negative on Friday.
Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar said that it is a big achievement of the provincial government following the blessing of Allah Almighty and a positive outcome of teamwork. He said the efforts of the provincial health department and anti-polio teams are commendable.
The chief minister vowed that the anti-polio vaccination campaign will be continued to immunise the children to prevent the new generation from the life-threatening disease.
Buzdar said that anti-polio vaccination is necessary to prevent children from disabilities. He added that the children in Punjab are being administered anti-polio drops alongside the vaccination of measles and rubella.
Earlier in October, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on National Health Services Dr Faisal Sultan had said that Pakistan is nearing to eradicate polio.
While talking to a delegation of the Pakistan Polio Eradication Programme, he had said, “We should not lose this golden opportunity.”
Pakistan is engaged in efforts to eradicate poliovirus since 1994, he had said. “The country has extremely improved its polio surveillance and controlled the virus with the best strategy.”
“Despite coronavirus pandemic, Pakistan’s anti-polio programme has launched best vaccination drives,” he had said.
He had thanked the team for the best surveillance review, adding that all resources are being utilised for a polio-free Pakistan.
