Health workers in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) are braving harsh winter conditions to administer polio vaccinations, as Pakistan grapples with a surge in cases.
In Surgan, a mountainous town 150 km north of Muzaffarabad, polio workers are trekking through three feet of snow and sub-zero temperatures to immunize children. Manzoor Ahmad, who leads the campaign in the region, emphasized the challenges of reaching remote villages amid the extreme cold.
“We come here for polio vaccination despite the glaciers and avalanches,” said social worker Mehnaz, who has been assisting vaccinators since 2018. “We risk our lives and leave our children at home.”
Targeting 750,000 Children
The polio eradication teams aim to vaccinate 750,000 children under five years old across AJK. In Surgan alone, health workers hope to reach 1,700 children within a week.
Ahmad highlighted the success of Kashmir’s polio efforts, proudly stating that no cases have been reported in the region for 24 years.
With 4,000 teams conducting door-to-door vaccinations, these dedicated workers continue their mission despite extreme conditions, ensuring that Pakistan moves closer to eradicating polio.
