Lahore: The first National Anti-Polio Campaign of varied duration for the year 2026 is currently underway in Punjab, Sindh, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. This significant public health initiative aims to protect children under five from the debilitating effects of polio.

According to Radio Pakistan, Prime Minister's Focal Person on Polio Eradication, Ayesha Raza Farooq, announced that the campaign will continue until the 8th of this month. With a target of vaccinating over forty-five million children, the campaign employs a workforce of four hundred thousand trained health volunteers who are conducting door-to-door visits to ensure comprehensive coverage.

Ayesha Raza Farooq highlighted the progress made in reducing polio cases, noting that seventy-four cases were reported nationwide in 2024, which decreased to thirty-one in 2025. She attributed this improvement to the use of international standard vaccines, increased public trust, and the government's effective strategy.

In her statement, Ayesha Raza Farooq urged parents to cooperate with health teams by ensuring their children receive the anti-polio drops, emphasizing the importance of safeguarding the younger population from this crippling disease.