In a bold move to ensure the success of the polio vaccination campaign, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has announced plans to cancel the national identity cards of parents who refuse to allow polio drops for their children. This decision was revealed by KP Health Minister Qasim Ali Shah as he assumed his new responsibilities.
Upon taking charge, Minister Shah was briefed by Secretary Health Mahmood Ahmad Wazir on the province’s ongoing health projects. Minister Shah also requested a detailed briefing on the Sehat Card plus program by Tuesday.
Pakistan, along with Afghanistan, remains the last two countries where the polio virus is still being transmitted. The World Health Organization has warned that the presence of the virus in these regions poses a risk of global resurgence.
It’s important to note that there is no cure for polio, and vaccination is the only effective prevention method. The government’s decision to cancel ID cards of non-compliant parents underscores the seriousness of the situation and the necessity of widespread vaccination to eradicate the virus.
