Islamabad, In an address marking World Polio Day, Speaker of the National Assembly Raja Pervaiz Ashraf emphasized the collective responsibility of all citizens to protect children from the polio virus, highlighting the importance of completing the polio vaccination course for children up to five years. He indicated that currently, only four countries in the world, including Pakistan, are still grappling with the polio virus, but stressed the country’s commitment to eradicating the disease and mobilizing all available resources towards this mission.

According to a news release by National Assembly of Pakistan, the Speaker expressed his views on the occasion of World Anti-Polio Day, celebrated annually on October 24. Raja Pervaiz Ashraf commended the tireless efforts of frontline health workers, acknowledging their pivotal role in administering the polio vaccine to households across the country and clearing any misconceptions about the vaccine among the public. “It protects children from lifelong disabilities,” he stated, underscoring the vaccine’s significance.

Furthermore, the Speaker paid his respects to the healthcare workers who tragically lost their lives during polio vaccination campaigns, saluting their dedication to eradicating what he referred to as the “second major disease in human history.”

Raja Pervaiz Ashraf also lauded the media for its role in boosting anti-polio awareness campaigns. Concluding his address, he issued a fervent appeal to the nation, urging every citizen to ensure that all children up to five years of age receive the anti-polio vaccine drops, aiming to shield the country’s youth from infectious diseases like polio and potential lifelong disabilities.