19-12-2024 12:00:00 AM
Agencies
ISLAMABAD/QUETTA
Pakistani authorities on Wednesday postponed a polio vaccination campaign in the country's restive southern Balochistan province after health workers boycotted it to oppose a proposed privatisation of hospitals.
Authorities on Monday launched the final nationwide polio vaccination campaign for the year, aiming to protect 45 million children.
According to the World Health Organisation, Pakistan and neighbouring Afghanistan remain the only two countries where the potentially fatal, paralysing virus has not been eradicated.
Anwarul Haq of the National Emergency Operation Centre for Polio Eradication, said the polio vaccination campaign in Balochistan was delayed until December 30 for "better preparedness." He provided no further details.
Restive Balochistan has reported the highest number of polio cases, with 26 out of the 63 confirmed cases since January. The campaign continues until December 22 in other areas in Pakistan.
A report from Peshawar said three forces personnel were killed and two injured in a blast targeting a vehicle carrying polio workers in northwest restive Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.
The incident occurred in the Daraban area of Dera Ismail Khan district on Tuesday when a security forces vehicle enroute for polio duty was struck by a roadside blast triggered through an improvised explosive device (IED).
Three security forces personnel have been killed and two others injured in a blast targeting a vehicle carrying polio workers in northwest Pakistan's restive Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.
The incident occurred in the Daraban area of Dera Ismail Khan district on Tuesday when a security forces vehicle enroute for polio duty was struck by a roadside blast triggered through an improvised explosive device (IED).
The attack comes a day after a polio worker and a police constable were shot dead in separate incidents in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province as the country began a week-long polio eradication campaign amid tight security.