At least 400 health workers have decided not to be part of polio immunization campaign in Pakistan’s restive Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.

Islamabad,  Dec 24/Nationalturk – The anti-polio campaign in Pakistan’s restive Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province has suffered a major jolt as 400 volunteers have decided not to be part of polio immunization campaign.

The polio workers in restive Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province and other parts of the country have been repeatedly targeted by the terrorists. Many polio workers and volunteers have been killed in the militant attacks.

In view of these fears, 400 health volunteers have refused to be part of polio immunization drive in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.

‘Things have become difficult for anti-polio drives’

Surgeon Sameen Jan was quoted as saying by Pakistan newspaper, The Express Tribune that things have become difficult for them as far as conducting anti-polio drives is concerned.

“The volunteers have shared their apprehensions and pulled out from the polio immunization campaign. We cannot force them to work and at least eight paramedics have submitted their premature resignation letters,” he said.

The surgeon said anti-polio drive planned in the province from January will be missing 400 workers and a field supervisor medical officer, who have refused not to be part of the campaign.

The paramedics, who were part of anti-polio drives in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, have demanded better security and compensation package for families of polio workers killed in terrorist attacks.

Imran kicked anti-polio campaign on December 13

On December 13, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan had decided to kick off a campaign against polio in Khyber Pakhunkhwa province where his party heads the coalition government.

Declaring polio workers as “soldiers of Islam”, he had said those attacking them were not doing any justice to humanity, Islam or Pakistanis.

Militants have been targeting health workers administering polio drops to the children and according to World Health Organization, Pakistan recorded 72 cases of polio this year as compared to 58 last year. Polio is also endemic in Afghanistan and Nigeria.

Write your comments and thoughts below

Asia News / NationalTurk Pakistan News