Ashrafuddin Pirzada
LANDIKOTAL
Political leaders and social circles on Monday demanded of the high officials that depriving Khyber polio vaccination staff from their jobs would compel them to arrange protests in support of polio staff.
Political parties leaders and social workers in Khyber district have expressed serious concern over a proposed reduction in COMNet staff working under the polio eradication and routine immunization programs, demanding an immediate review and restoration of the workforce.
Speaking to a press conference at the district press club Khyber Landikota stated that despite the district’s sensitive geographical and security situation any reduction in COMNet staff was unacceptable.
Instead, they argued, the number of workers should be increased to effectively meet public health challenges.
They highlighted that the district connected to Afghanistan through the Torkham border crossing, considered a high-risk transit point with constant cross-border movement. Combined with displacement from Tirah and the challenge of covering a population exceeding one million, they warned that reducing field and communication staff would negatively impact health campaigns.
The ongoing polio campaign has entered a critical stage and COMNet teams play a key role in community engagement, reducing vaccine refusals and strengthening routine immunization. They warned that a reported 40 percent staff reduction could lead to increased vaccine refusal and risk the re-emergence of the poliovirus.
Participants claimed the district has remained polio-free since 2018, attributing this success to the consistent efforts of field and communication teams. They cautioned that reducing staff at this stage could undermine years of progress.
They said that recent controversial international discussions circulating on social media have contributed to renewed misinformation campaigns against polio vaccination, increasing the need for community outreach workers who directly address public concerns and counter false narratives.
The participants urged the deputy commissioner of Khyber, the governor and chief minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the emergency operations center, as well as provincial and federal health authorities to immediately withdraw the decision to reduce COMNet staff and instead strengthen workforce presence at the union council level.
Efforts were made to obtain a response from the district communication officer Khyber, however, no official statement had been issued at the time this report was filed.
