Polio workers go on strike after FIR registration in Kohat

Paramedics Association on Monday during protest also set a deadline for administration to withdraw FIR

By Syed Yasir Shah
November 19, 2024
This representational image shows a health worker administering a polio vaccine to a child during the Polio Free Pakistan campaign. — APP/File
This representational image shows a health worker administering a polio vaccine to a child during the Polio Free Pakistan campaign. — APP/File

KOHAT: The local administration registered cases against four polio workers following confirmation of poliovirus in two children during the last two months in the district.

All polio workers announced a boycott of the polio vaccination campaign after the cases were registered against their four colleagues for negligence. The Paramedics Association on Monday during a protest also set a deadline for the administration to withdraw the first information report (FIR).

Association President Rashid Bukhari said that they would expand the protest to the province if the cases were not withdrawn. He said that a protest would be held in Peshawar on November 25 to press the government for acceptance of their demands.

The office-bearer added that polio workers had vaccinated the child during every campaign. The paramedics’ leader said a total of 48 polio cases had been registered across Pakistan, while only a report had been filed against Kohat’s polio workers. Polio virus was confirmed in an 11-month-old girl, Sania Bibi, daughter of Qadeer Khan in Kohat recently.