QUETTA: The Emergency Operations Center (EOC) in Balochistan announced a decisive seven-day anti-polio campaign set to commence today on Monday, February 2, 2026, aiming to vaccinate approximately 2.6 million children under the age of five across the province.
EOC Coordinator Inam-ul-Haq, addressing the media on Sunday, framed the campaign as a critical final push. He revealed that while the polio virus has been eliminated from the environment in 93% of Balochistan, it persists in 7% of areas, posing a continuous threat of resurgence and infection. “This campaign is important to protect children from these dangers and eliminate the polio virus from the environment completely,” Haq stated.
The province enters 2026 on a strong footing, having reported no polio case for the past 15 months—a significant achievement in 2025. Haq emphasized that this year is pivotal for securing permanent eradication. To this end, a massive mobilization is underway, with 11,000 teams, including 822 fixed and 474 transit teams, deployed to reach every child, including in remote regions.
Haq made a fervent public appeal, urging parents to cooperate with health workers and ensure their children receive the life-saving drops. “If even one child is deprived of polio drops, all children are put at risk,” he warned, highlighting the shared responsibility. He also called upon civil society, teachers, and religious leaders to actively promote vaccination awareness.
The Coordinator further reminded parents of the broader importance of routine immunizations, which shield children from twelve deadly diseases like measles and hepatitis. He encouraged visits to nearby health centers for complete vaccination schedules, stating that protecting children’s health is a collective duty for a polio-free future.
