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In a devastating blow to Pakistan’s ongoing efforts to eradicate polio, a polio worker and a police constable were killed in separate attacks on Monday in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. The attacks, carried out by unidentified gunmen, underscore the severe security risks faced by those involved in the national polio vaccination campaign.
The first incident occurred in Bannu district, where the polio worker was shot dead while carrying out vaccination duties. The second attack took place in Karak district, where police constable Ishtiaq Ahmed was fatally targeted while providing security to the health team. Despite the heavy deployment of security forces to protect the workers, the assailants managed to flee, further exacerbating concerns about the vulnerability of health teams in high-risk areas.
These tragic events highlight the ongoing challenges facing Pakistan in its bid to eliminate polio, a disease that continues to affect the country despite extensive vaccination efforts. Pakistan is one of the last few nations where polio remains endemic, and the resurgence of cases in recent years has intensified the urgency of the vaccination campaign. The government aims to vaccinate over 44.7 million children during the current drive, making the safety of health workers critical to its success.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to the eradication campaign, condemning the attacks and vowing to continue the fight against polio. However, with security threats on the rise and an increasingly hostile environment for health workers, the road to eradicating the disease remains fraught with difficulty.
The tragic loss of a polio worker and a police officer comes at a time when the government and international partners are working to combat the spread of polio, with vaccination teams often operating in areas where militancy and violence are prevalent. These attacks serve as a stark reminder of the harsh realities that health workers face in their efforts to protect the next generation from the crippling effects of polio.
As the campaign continues, authorities will be under increased pressure to enhance the safety of workers and ensure the success of this critical public health initiative. The people of Pakistan are urged to support the eradication effort, as the country moves closer to the goal of becoming polio-free.
