Bereaved family members of the polio workers who were killed recently, received compensation cheques worth Rs 200, 000 each, whereas every injured polio worker received a cheque worth Rs 100,000 during a programme arranged by Muttahida Qaumi Movement on Monday.
Addressing the ceremony, Sindh Health Minister Dr Saghir Ahmed said polio workers who were killed during the anti-polio campaign had embraced martyrdom as they were trying to protect children against impairment.
“They did not budge under any threat and kept working towards realising their professional responsibilities,” said the minister.
Ahmed said although there could be no compensation for the loss of human life, the society could not be indifferent to the needs of the families who had lost their bread-winners.
The minister said Altaf Hussain had strongly condemned the brutal attacks on the polio workers.
“Those responsible are anti-social elements who do not want a safe and healthy future for the children of Pakistan,” he said.
Ahmed said religious scholars had already issued decrees in favour of polio vaccination campaigns and, therefore, these vaccines were not forbidden in Islam.
“No one can stop us, and we will deal strongly with all those trying to sabotage efforts to eliminate polio from our society,” he said. Lauding the courage of female workers killed during the recent anti-polio campaign in Karachi, the health minister said their commitment to the cause was exemplary. Sindh Health Secretary Aftab Ahmed Khatri, Health Special Secretary Dr Suresh Kumar, Health EDO Dr Imdadullah Siddiq, Sindh EPI Project Director Dr Mazhar Khamisani and town health officers of Orangi, Baldia and Landhi towns were also present on the occasion.