ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for National Health Services, Regulations & Coordination Saira Afzal Tarar has said that the incumbent government took the challenge of widespread polio outbreak head on when it took office in 2013 and with all out efforts today, the country has reported eight cases at the end of 2017 with no case this year. In a statement issued on Sunday, on the eve of another round of the polio campaign, she said that like loadshedding, terrorism, law and order in Karachi, the government has surmounted the polio challenge with bold decisions, commitment and good governance. “Pakistan was the target of criticism for polio spread. Today it is quoted as an example of how political will and commitment can turn things around,” she said, adding that the government will not rest until there are zero cases of polio in the country and there is no risk to our children. Saira Afzal Tarar appealed to parents to make this polio round a success like the previous ones. To make 2018 the last year for polio in Pakistan, the second nationwide campaign is set to start across the country from today (Monday), with a few adjustments. The round will being in four districts of Balochistan and Karachi from February 19 and District Lodhran will start from February 14, due to by-election. The programme will target a total of 38.37 million under five children. A workforce of 260,000, that has brought Pakistan close to victory, will go house to house to vaccinate each of five children in every corner of Pakistan. This includes 24,355 area incharges, 8,140 UC Medical Officers, 190,598 mobile, 10,276 fixed and 11,986 transit team members. “With only eight reported cases last year and none in 2018, the nation is closest ever to its goal. The national and provincial leadership requests every Pakistani to support Sehat Muhafiz in the national cause of vaccinating not just their own children but those in their neighborhood as well,” she said. Published in Daily Times, February 12th 2018.