A Pakistani police officer was killed on Friday after gunmen opened fire on a polio vaccination team in the city of Chaman, located in the southwestern province of Balochistan. The attack marks another violent episode in the ongoing struggle to protect healthcare workers in one of the last countries where polio remains endemic.
The Incident in Chaman According to Habib Ahmed, the Deputy Police Commissioner of Chaman, unidentified militants targeted the vaccination team while they were performing their duties. The police officer, who was assigned to provide security for the health workers, died from his injuries following the exchange. Fortunately, the rest of the vaccination team escaped the attack unharmed.
Following the shooting, security forces cordoned off the area and launched a search operation to apprehend the perpetrators. Security measures have been tightened across the region to prevent further assaults on public health initiatives.
A Perilous Mission for Health Workers Pakistan and Afghanistan are currently the only two countries in the world where wild poliovirus remains a constant threat. Polio is a highly infectious and incurable disease that can lead to lifelong paralysis; however, it is preventable through repeated doses of the oral polio vaccine.
Despite the life-saving nature of the work, vaccination teams in Pakistan frequently face violent opposition from militant groups. These groups often spread misinformation about the vaccines or target security forces to undermine government authority.
Ongoing Commitment Amidst Threats The provincial government of Balochistan condemned the attack, reiterating its commitment to eradicating polio despite the security challenges. Authorities emphasized that the protection of health workers remains a top priority, as the national immunization campaign continues to target millions of children under the age of five.
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