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Risky business

Malik Ayub Sumbal, IslamabadJune 12, 2013

Pakistan has been facing challenges to both its internal and external peace and security for a long time now. But, even so, until fairly recently, it was not considered a dangerous country for health workers to do their work.

https://p.dw.com/p/18oLa

However, that is changing. A series of attacks have been made against those administering polio vaccines in the country. At the end of May, gunmen opened fire on female health workers going door to door on an anti-polio drive near the Pakistan city of Peshawar. One worker was killed instantly, the other died later of injuries. The shooting is the latest in a series of health worker attacks, blamed on militants.

A Pakistani health worker gives a polio vaccine to a child in Lahore, Pakistan, Monday, June 4, 2012. (Photo: K.M. Chaudary/AP/dapd)
A local health worker gives a polio vaccine to a child in Lahore, PakistanImage: AP