Khyber Pakhtunkhwa decides to cancel NICs of parents who refuse polio drops

To enhance the efficacy of the polio vaccination campaign, the government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has opted to invalidate the national identity cards of parents who decline to administer polio drops to their children.

The annoucemnet was issued by KP Health Minister Qasim Ali Shah upon assuming his responsibilities.

Secretary Health Mahmood Ahmad Wazir provided Shah with an exhaustive overview of ongoing health initiatives in the province. The minister also requested a comprehensive briefing on Sehat Card plus by Tuesday.

Pakistan and Afghanistan remain the sole countries where the polio virus is still actively transmitted.

The persistence of the virus in these regions also presents the risk of a global resurgence, as highlighted by the World Health Organization.

Currently, there is no cure for polio, with vaccination being the only preventive measure available.