PESHAWAR: The National Institute of Health (NIH) has confirmed a new case of polio in Bannu, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa the third from the province this year and the eighth reported across Pakistan as this year's second inoculation drive is in full swing.

The confirmation comes just days after Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif was informed during a review meeting that no new polio case had been reported since February 10, crediting the success to dedicated nationwide efforts.

Chairing the meeting on April 17, the prime minister had appreciated the work of government bodies, international organisations, and partners striving to make Pakistan polio-free.

Meanwhile, the latest polio eradication campaign launched this week aims to vaccinate over 45.4 million children under five, including over 2.6 million in Balochistan.

The second anti-polio drive of the year will run till April 27. The next nationwide drive will be held from May 26 to June 1.

Health officials have urged parents to ensure their children are repeatedly vaccinated against polio to prevent lifelong disability.

Published in The Daily National Courier, April, 26 2025

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