Authorities in Gwadar formally inaugurated an anti-polio campaign as part of Pakistan’s nationwide immunization drive, targeting 35,664 children under five across the coastal district, according to Gwadar Pro. Deputy Commissioner Gwadar Naqeebullah Kakar inaugurated the National Immunization Days (NID) February campaign by administering polio drops to a child at a ceremony attended by senior district officials and health authorities.

Health officials said the campaign will run till February 17 and will cover children from birth to five years of age in all 20 union councils of the district. According to the District Health Officer, a total target of 35,664 children has been set, and dedicated teams have been constituted to carry out door-to-door vaccination.

Speaking at the launch, Kakar said polio remains a dangerous and incurable disease and emphasized that vaccination is the only effective protection against lifelong disability caused by the virus. He urged parents, community leaders, teachers, religious scholars and civil society members to cooperate with polio teams to ensure that every eligible child receives the vaccine.

Preparations for the February campaign were finalized in January, when district authorities held a high-level coordination meeting chaired by DC Naqeebullah Kakar to review logistics, security and operational planning.

Gwadar remains a critical district in Pakistan’s polio eradication efforts. The district has not reported any confirmed polio case since 2015, although environmental samples collected in 2025 detected wild poliovirus type 1 (WPV1), highlighting the continued risk of transmission.

Health authorities say sustained vaccination campaigns are essential to protect children and prevent the re-emergence of the disease.

Pakistan reported 30 polio cases nationwide in 2025, a decline from 74 cases in 2024, while Balochistan reported zero cases last year. Officials say continued immunization drives are vital to maintaining progress toward polio eradication in Gwadar and across the country.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP) — Pak-China