Major decrease in Polio refusal cases reported in Punjab

LAHORE: Punjab has seen a 90 per cent reduction in refusal and missed cases in polio immunisation campaigns. Adeel Tasawur, Punjab Polio Programme Head, explained that community cooperation reduced the refusal cases. He was addressing a jirga organised by the Pakhtun Falahi Tanzeem, a representative body of priority and mobile communities, held on Tuesday in Lahore.

The event convened more than 300 representatives, elders, and community members, reiterating the collective commitment between priority communities and the government to safeguard children against avoidable diseases.

Adeel Tasawur welcomed the active support of the Pashtun and other nomadic communities, pointing out that “the moment such communities enter Punjab, their cooperation and support to health authorities and polio teams has been phenomenal. This collaboration is crucial in making sure every child is given the protection they deserve.”

He said that in each campaign, over 600,000 children of the priority communities get vaccinated in Punjab due to the cooperation and commitment of community leaders.

Talking about the forthcoming National Immunization Days (NIDs) campaign to begin on October 13, he declared: “More than 200,000 polio workers trained will visit door-to-door in Pakistan, including Punjab, to administer the anti-polio vaccine to nearly 23 million children below five years of age.

I appeal to our priority communities to maintain their precious contribution by making sure no child is left behind during the campaign.”

He also added that such communities are specifically emphasized when it comes to vaccination because of the difficult environments they usually inhabit, stating:

“The government and the Health Department are fully committed to taking care of all communities—especially those living in difficult circumstances—by ensuring equal access to healthcare services without any discrimination.”

Haji Nadir Khan, the Pashtun elder, was committed to complete support for the polio eradication cause. The jirga ended on a commitment from both sides to intensify cooperation, trust-building, and the no child left behind vaccination in Punjab.

Pakistan is still one of the two nations in the world where poliovirus still circulates, with rare environmental sample detections. Although there have been enormous challenges, Pakistan’s Polio Eradication Programme, with government, health partners, and community support, has made tremendous strides in decreasing transmission.

Punjab remains at the forefront through continued high-quality campaigns and ensuring migrant, mobile, and high-risk populations receive coverage.

Through continued community engagement, routine immunisation, and government support, Pakistan is working towards putting a total halt to the transmission of poliovirus and attaining the status of being polio-free in the near future.