The federal and Balochistan provincial government reaffirmed their commitment to eradicate the crippling disease from the province through an effective, coordinated, and community-supported campaign.  A high-level meeting was held at the Chief Minister's Secretariat in Quetta, jointly chaired by Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti and Federal Minister for Health Mustafa Kamal. 

The session brought together senior officials and key stakeholders to discuss the challenges facing the ongoing polio eradication efforts and to strategize future actions.  Participants reached a consensus that public cooperation and community engagement are essential for the success of the anti-polio campaign. 

It was agreed that the campaign must go beyond medical efforts and become a national movement involving every segment of society.  Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti, addressing the meeting, emphasized that polio eradication is not just a health initiative but a collective national responsibility. 

“The real challenge lies in addressing the movement of people within and outside the province, but our government is determined to overcome these hurdles with unwavering resolve,” he said.  Bugti also highlighted the support for public health initiatives like the polio campaign, noting that even the opposition has played a constructive role.

He called on parents, teachers, religious scholars, and community leaders to actively contribute within their respective domains to help eliminate polio.  Federal Minister for Health Mustafa Kamal praised the Balochistan government’s dedicated efforts and stressed that defeating polio is possible only through national unity and public participation. 

The involvement of parents, religious leaders, media, and civil society is critical to the success of this campaign,” Kamal stated. He reaffirmed the federal government’s full support to the province in achieving a polio-free future.  During the meeting, participants expressed their determination to unite government institutions, the public, and civil society in the fight against polio to ensure a safe and healthy future for the coming generations. 

The meeting was attended by Balochistan Health Minister Bakht Muhammad Kakar, Leader of the Opposition Mir Younus Aziz Zehri, Chief Secretary Shakil Qadir Khan, Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Zahid Saleem, Principal Secretary Babar Khan, Health Secretary Mujeeb-ur-Rehman Panezai, Director General Health Services Dr. Ameen Khan Mandokhail, Commissioner Quetta Division Hamza Shafqat, Deputy Commissioner Quetta Meherullah Khan Badini, and health officials Dr. Aftab, Dr. Asif Khan, Dr. Najeebullah, and Shah Poor. 

Also participating via video link were Prime Minister’s Focal Person on Polio Eradication Ayesha Raza Farooq and divisional commissioners from across Balochistan, who provided updates on local-level anti-polio efforts.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)