ISLAMABAD: As the special polio campaign is set to begin on Sept 1, Federal Minister for Health Syed Mustafa Kamal has directed the polio programme to ensure that no child is missed during the vaccination drive.
He was speaking at a briefing held at the National Emergency Operation Centre.
The minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to completely eradicate polio.
He emphasised the importance of implementing effective strategies in high-risk areas to achieve comprehensive immunisation coverage and stated that he would personally oversee the campaign to ensure its successful execution and impact.
“Polio virus is still present in our environment. To prevent its spread, it is essential that every child receives the polio vaccine,” Mustafa Kamal said.
Meanwhile, a delegation of the Pakistan Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association (PPMA) called on Mustafa Kamal to discuss key initiatives for strengthening Pakistan’s pharmaceutical sector.
The meeting was also attended by the Chief Executive Officer of the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (Drap) and senior officials.
The minister stressed that effective action against spurious drugs has become inevitable, as such practices pose a serious threat to public health and also damage the reputation of the pharmaceutical industry.
He urged the industry to accelerate efforts for the full and effective implementation of 2D bar codes.
The discussions also focused on the strategy for local vaccine production. The Health Minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to developing indigenous vaccine manufacturing capacity in Pakistan.
Published in Dawn, August 28th, 2025
