Federal Minister for Health Syed Mustafa Kamal chaired a crucial review meeting in Islamabad to assess Pakistan’s progress in eradicating polio, according to a statement from the Ministry of Health on Tuesday.
The meeting was attended by key stakeholders, including the Prime Minister’s Focal Person on Polio Eradication, Ms. Ayesha Raza Farooq, senior health officials, representatives from WHO, UNICEF, and national polio coordinators.
The gathering reviewed the latest nationwide campaign, during which over 45 million children received polio drops.
Officials presented updates on provincial and national strategies while acknowledging persistent challenges. Minister Kamal underscored the urgency of the mission, calling polio eradication both a moral and national responsibility.
‘Polio remains incurable – even cancer has treatment options. We must not allow misinformation to endanger our children’s futures,’ Kamal stressed. Urging parents to proactively support vaccination efforts, he warned against complacency and emphasized unity in combating the virus.
Highlighting that only Pakistan and Afghanistan continue to report wild poliovirus cases, Kamal expressed hope for coordinated regional success and praised Afghanistan’s sustained campaigns under difficult conditions.
‘If Palestine can be polio-free during wartime, what are we waiting for?’ he asked, adding, ‘This is a national mission. The eyes of the world are on us – we must rise to the occasion.’
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