CM reaffirms commitment to complete eradication of polio from Punjab

LAHORE: Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif, in her message on World Polio Day, reaffirmed her commitment to the complete eradication of polio disease from Punjab, declaring frontline polio workers national heroes and paying tribute to their dedication and services.

“Alhamdulillah, Punjab is polio-free,” the chief minister said, urging parents and communities to extend full cooperation to polio teams in the fight against the disease.

She said refusing polio vaccination amounted to denying children a better and safer future. The full cooperation of parents and every member of society was essential to achieving complete eradication of polio and building a healthy society.

The chief minister said polio drops were completely safe, effective and vital for protecting children’s lives and health. She urged parents to ensure that children under five received two drops of the polio vaccine during every vaccination campaign.

By the grace of Allah Almighty, no polio case had been reported in Punjab so far this year, she said, adding that the Provincial Emergency Operations Centre and the Health Department were actively working to ensure the complete eradication of the disease.

Under the anti-polio campaign, more than 10 million children under the age of five had been administered polio drops in 13 high-risk districts, she said. Regular anti-polio campaigns were also being conducted in Lahore and other districts of Punjab.

Preparations had been completed for the Sub-National Polio Campaign scheduled to run from November 2 to 8, 2026, in selected districts of Punjab, alongside the nationwide campaign.

The chief minister said environmental samples were being continuously tested across the province to monitor and prevent the spread of the virus.

District Health Management Teams (DHMTs), representatives of the World Health Organisation (WHO) and UNICEF and the administration were monitoring the campaign, she added.

CM Maryam Nawaz said the anti-polio drive was making progress, but warned that without sustained efforts, polio could unfortunately return.

She called for continued public cooperation to protect children and ensure a healthier, polio-free future for Punjab.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026