Interim govt committed to eradicate polio: Dr Nadeem

Islamabad: Caretaker Health Minister Dr Nadeem Jan on Tuesday said that the interim government is committed to actively implement a special emergency response plan to eradicate polio in the country.

Talking to a private news channel, he said polio vaccination campaign in remote areas and tribal is significant in reduction of polio cases in the country.

Dr Nadeem Jan Ministry of Health is actively involved in the polio program and we will ensure that the focus on polio remains unwavering.

The Health Minister said present government will maintain zero tolerance regarding provision of quality medicines to patients in government hospitals.

A day earlier, the Polio Emergency Committee of World Health Organization (WHO) expressed concern over the spread of polio in Pakistan and Afghanistan.

The Polio Emergency Committee of the World Health Organization said: “The risk of polio spread in Pakistan still remains and a large number of children in Pakistan are still deprived of polio drops”.

World Health Organization stated that political instability, law and order situation are obstacles to eradication of polio, boycott of polio vaccine is also a big problem.

Failure of polio program in Afghanistan could endanger Pakistan's polio program.

According to World Health Organization, polio virus from Pakistan to Malawi and Mozambique could also cause global spread of polio.

The emergency committee added that Pakistani and Afghan citizens traveling abroad must undergo polio vaccination and be issued a certificate. Those traveling abroad from Malawi and Mozambique must also undergo polio vaccination.