The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government has introduced a new policy, deciding not to issue birth, death and marriage certificates to families who have refused polio vaccination, Express News reported.
In an effort to improve the success of the ongoing polio eradication campaign, the provincial government has made it mandatory for individuals to receive polio drops before receiving these important documents.
The directive, which mainly targets areas around Peshawar and village councils, aims to ensure that children in these regions are vaccinated against the disease. The decision comes as part of the government’s continued efforts to curb the spread of polio in the province.
A notice from the Deputy Commissioner (DC) of Peshawar, which was forwarded to the District Health Officer (DHO) and Medical Officer (MO), warns that any violation of this directive will result in disciplinary action.
“This decision will ensure that every child is immunized, and we are taking all necessary steps to protect future generations from polio,” said a health department spokesperson.
Polio vaccination has been a long-standing problem in parts of Pakistan, where the country still faces challenges in completely eradicating the virus. The new measure is expected to stimulate compliance and improve vaccination rates.
The policy is being watched closely by both local and international health organizations as a potential model for accelerating the eradication of polio in other regions of the country.
