Female polio worker faces insult, harassment in Faisalabad

Female polio workers go through trials and tribulations to work towards a nation free from the scourge of the debilitating disease, and sometimes they face insult and harassment while discharging their duties. 

In one such incident that occurred in Faisalabad, Punjab, a female worker was harassed and misbehaved by a man, whose house she knocked on to administer anti-polio drops. to the children.

According to the FIR, a man named Ali Hassan harassed and misbehaved with the female polio staff during the drive.

Hassan has been arrested by the police following registration of the case. 

A female polio worker in the district, who requested anonymity, said that their job is extremely difficult as staff must confront challenging environments.

The polio worker said that during campaigns certain residents harass, insult, or even abuse them.

The third nationwide polio immunization campaign of current year continued to vaccinate over 44.3 million children under five years of age in 159 districts.

In a message, Caretaker Federal Minister for Health Dr Nadeem Jan urged parents to ensure vaccination of their children during ongoing polio immunization drive.

Coordinator of the National Emergency Operations Centre for Polio Eradication, Dr Shahzad Baig said: “Polio cases are fewer than they have ever been, yet the virus has shown up in sewage samples in several major cities this year, indicating that some population pockets that have missed out on the vaccine.”