OKARA: A polio vaccination team member, Yasmin, was assaulted twice and had vaccine materials damaged by a woman during a vaccination drive in Basirpur. According to the first information report (FIR), on Oct 29, the health department team was administering polio drops on Mubeen Wali Street when Sundas, a local resident, reportedly abused Yasmin, a lady health worker, before pushing her and then fleeing as security personnel arrived.

On Friday, when the team resumed its work, Sundas allegedly reappeared, pelting the team with bricks, damaging a vaccine carrier, tearing records, breaking finger markers, and destroying two vaccine vials. Yasmin reported the loss of some personal items during the incident. On Yasmin’s complaint, police registered a case under sections 186 and 379 of the Pakistan Penal Code against Sundas and arrested her.

Published in Dawn, November 2nd, 2024