ISLAMABAD, Dec. 31 (Xinhua) -- A seven-day anti-polio vaccination drive began on Monday in Pakistan's southwest Balochistan province, the worst-hit province by the crippling disease with 27 reported cases in 2024.
According to the provincial Emergency Operation Center (EOC), more than 11,600 teams will participate in the campaign to administer anti-polio drops to over 2.6 million children under five.
EOC officials noted that security arrangements have been made to protect the polio teams during the campaign.
Balochistan EOC Coordinator Inamul Haq has urged parents, media, and citizens to play their role in ensuring the success of the anti-polio drive.
The drive includes door-to-door vaccinations and establishing fixed centers at public locations, aiming to ensure no child is left unvaccinated.
Pakistan, along with Afghanistan, remains one of the last two polio-endemic countries in the world. The country has experienced a concerning surge in poliovirus cases, with 68 instances of the crippling disease reported in 2024. ■
