Summary The move is to avoid potential travel bans on Pakistanis owing to the growing polio cases.
ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – Pakistan has decided termed polio vaccination mandatory for Pakistanis traveling abroad as the number of polio cases increase. An urgent session for final approval of the policy has been called next week by the Ministry and National Health, Dunya News reported.
According to sources, owing to the rise in polio cases, Pakistani citizens are likely to face ban on international travels. Federal government is taking preemptive measure on emergency basis to avoid any hindrance in international travel of Pakistani citizens.
Reportedly, Health Minister Saira Afzal Tarrar has expressed concerns over the situation and called an emergency session summoning all provincial health ministers in the coming week.
The session will approve the policy of mandatory polio vaccination for Pakistanis traveling abroad. As per the new policy, all Pakistani airports will be equipped with special anti-polio counters to facilitate with the vaccination.
Sources say that World Health Organization’s International Health Regulation Committee is reviewing polio situation in at least 10 countries including Pakistan in an emergency session.
Pakistani citizens are more likely to face sanctions owing to the growing cases of polio in Pakistan.
