Dubai: Pakistan’s Prime Minister Imran Khan honoured a polio worker, whose video went viral earlier this week, recognising his commitment to make the country polio free.
In a tweet, Khan shared pictures from his meeting with the worker, and wrote: “Irfan is one of 260,000 heroes who reach out to children with polio vaccines in extreme weather conditions. His viral video has left every individual with a sense of awe and pride. This dedication is what will enable us to achieve our goal of a polio free nation. #SalamPolioWorker”
According to news website geo.tv, Khan hosted Irfan and several other polio workers at the Prime Minister House on Wednesday and discussed strategies to successfully rid Pakistan of the disease.
Soon after the tweet was posted today, social media users in Pakistan picked up the hashtag #SalamPolioWorker and shared pictures of workers administering the polio doses in extreme conditions. From travelling on a camelback through barren desert to a single woman walking across snow, tweeps celebrated the dedication of the workers who are often subjected to attacks.
In a series of tweets, @MahamAl38030015 wrote: “Dear polio worker, you have the most important job that anyone could have today. Every child of our country needs you for a polio-safe future. Polio workers like Irfanullah are making a real difference to children’s lives in Pakistan ... They have put their heart and soul in this noble cause and have thus contributed to the safety of our children against polio. We salute you. #SalamPolioWorker”
Earlier, Unicef Pakistan had also tweeted a picture of Irfan, adding: “Pakistan’s polio workers travel long distances to make sure that every child is protected from polio, no matter where they live in Pakistan.”
Pakistan’s Railway Minister, Shaikh Rashid Ahmad, Germany’s ambassador to Pakistan, Martin Kobler and Khan’s party Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s official Twitter account had also shared the inspiring story earlier.
Pakistan is one of three remaining polio-endemic countries in the world, along with Afghanistan and Nigeria. The country launched the Polio Eradication Programme in 1994 and hopes to get rid of the disease altogether.
