The federal government began enforcing the International Health Regulations (IHR) recommended by the World Health Organisation (WHO) for all outbound travellers from Pakistan from Sunday, requiring them to carry polio vaccination certificates. The WHO, on May 5, had imposed travel restrictions on Pakistan over its failure to control the spread of poliovirus. However, the federal government expressed its displeasure over this decision and informed the global health body that it was not prepared for it. Hence, the government had asked for time till June 1 for the effective implementation of the IHR recommendation. According to sources in Ministry of National Health Services, Regulation and Coordination (NHSRC) an advisory has been prepared to be sent to all the provinces and public health departments regarding the mandatory vaccination of people. Sharing a few points from the advisory, the official said it says that the provincial government should ensure that each person, irrespective of its age, caste and creed planning to travel abroad, should be vaccinated against polio. They should be issued certificates free of charge. All the major public hospitals and international airports should have their polio counters open and functioning for 24 hours. All these public hospitals should provide a proper sitting or waiting areas for travellers coming for vaccination, the official added.

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