After remaining free of the disease for almost 15 months, Pakistan reported ,last April, a case of this highly infectious condition caused by a poliovirus, which mainly affects children under five years of age.

The virus enters the nervous system and causes paralysis and even death, and vaccination is the most effective way to protect infants from this crippling infection.

The regional director of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) for South Asia, George Laryea-Adjei, stated that all available resources, services and vaccines against the disease are being used to reach all children in Pakistan.

Laryea-Adjei expressed his gratitude for the efforts made by more than 350,000 health workers who travel across the country to administer the doses to each child.

He added that the overwhelming of consecutive disasters such as drought, heat waves, floods and acts of violence continue to put the lives of millions of minors at risk.

The recent floods destroyed vital health facilities and worsened health risks for millions of children, especially those living in districts historically at highest risk of polio.

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