Samples from 67 districts continue to be polio positive, NEOC meeting told

ISLAMABAD: A high-level meeting held at the National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) to assess the ongoing efforts to eradicate polio in Pakistan was informed that environmental samples from 67 districts continue to show traces of the poliovirus, with 24 cases reported so far this year.
During the meeting, Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed Bharath, Coordinator to the Prime Minister on Health, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to eradicating polio, saying that emergency measures are being enforced for the purpose. He expressed confidence in the future success of polio campaigns, thanks to the strong support from both federal and provincial governments.
Officials presented a comprehensive overview of the current polio situation and the challenges ahead. They said the successful September polio campaign vaccinated nearly 33 million children nationwide.
Dr. Bharath was also briefed on the strategic plans for the upcoming polio vaccination campaigns in October and November. 
He stressed the need for coordinated efforts to ensure that children in high-risk areas, including south Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Karachi, Quetta, and Peshawar, are vaccinated. “These regions remain reservoirs of the poliovirus, and we must intensify our efforts to halt its transmission,” he remarked.
He urged parents to cooperate with vaccination teams, saying, “The government cannot win this fight alone. Parents must ensure their children are vaccinated to protect them from permanent disability.”
With unwavering support from the government and its partners, Pakistan remains resolute in its goal to secure a polio-free future for every child, he added.