LAHORE: The Punjab Emergency Operations Centre for Polio Eradication has urged all districts to demonstrate commitment, community engagement and real-time monitoring as it launches the second national polio immunization drive on April 21 (Monday).

The seven-day campaign targets over 23m children under the age of five, mobilising the efforts of more than 200,000 dedicated workers acrossthe province.

The first NIDs (National Immunisation Days) campaign of2025, held in February, achieved remarkable 99pc coverage, marking a significant milestone in Punjab`s journey towards polio eradication.

`This drive is essential to eliminate remaining reservoirs of the virus, particularly in high-risk areas,` said Adeel Tassawar, the coordinator of the Punjab Emergency Operations Centre (EOC).

`Our teams are prepared to reach every child-no matter how remote or challenging the location,` he said.

`The message from the Punjab leadership is clear and uncompromising: lapses in performance willnot be tolerated,` emphasized Mr Adeel while chairing a meeting on Friday.

`All districts are expected to deliver performance exceeding 100 percent.` District health administrations from all 36 districts participated via video link.

`Our focus must remain on ensuring no child is missed, especially in high-risk districts and urban hotspots,` Mr Adeel emphasized.

The Punjab EOC is calling on parents and caregivers to fully support the campaign by ensuring their children receive polio drops and by completing routine immunization on schedule.