PM's aide alarmed over rising polio cases
"The ongoing outbreak is alarming, with six children already paralyzed in 2025," she said while chairing a meeting of the National Polio Management Team (NPMT) to assess progress, address emerging challenges, and refine strategies for the upcoming nationwide immunisation campaigns scheduled to take place in April and May.
"We must remain vigilant, proactive, and committed to refining our approaches to stay ahead of the virus," she added while emphasizing the urgency of the moment.
The meeting brought together national and provincial coordinators, core group members, and key stakeholders.
The meeting reinforced the importance of gender-inclusive workforce participation, the synergy between Essential Immunization and Polio Eradication efforts, and adherence to the latest Technical Advisory Group (TAG) recommendations.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Business Recorder
7 days ago
- Business Recorder
Commitment to eradicating polio by finalising ‘Road to Zero' strategy reaffirmed
LAHORE: The national and provincial leadership has reaffirmed its commitment to ending polio in Pakistan by finalizing a comprehensive 'Road to Zero' strategy during a two-day National Polio Management Team (NPMT) meeting, which concluded here on Saturday. The meeting was chaired by the Prime Minister's Focal Person on Polio, Ms. Ayesha Raza Farooq, and attended by Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) coordinators from all four provinces as well as representatives from Azad Jammu & Kashmir (AJK) and Gilgit-Baltistan (GB). Senior officials from the federal government, partner agencies, and development organizations were also present. Presiding over the meeting, Ms. Ayesha Raza Farooq paid rich tribute to the frontline polio workers, acknowledging their unwavering dedication despite persistent challenges such as refusals, misinformation, and access issues in high-risk areas. 'Despite the odds, our frontline workers are doing a remarkable job. The NPMT has provided all stakeholders an opportunity to openly discuss and deliberate on the challenges facing the programme and strategize actionable solutions,' she remarked. While expressing concern over the evolving epidemiological trends, the PMFP noted that although serious challenges remain, substantial progress has been made in areas such as surveillance quality, campaign performance, and risk communication. She called on all stakeholders—including government departments and international partners—to work with renewed commitment and collaboration. 'This year, we will approach things differently. Out-of-the-box solutions must be applied to reach every missed child and eradicate polio once and for all,' she stated. Ms. Farooq emphasized the critical importance of the pre-campaign phase of Supplementary Immunization Activities (SIAs) to ensure successful outcomes and lasting impact. She also highlighted the growing synergy between the Polio Eradication Initiative (PEI) and the Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI), terming it a pivotal element for polio eradication. Addressing specific regional challenges, she urged the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) team to intensify efforts to overcome security-related barriers, particularly in South KP, which remains one of the most challenging zones for the programme. While maintaining focus on traditional polio hotspots and virus reservoirs, the PMFP cautioned stakeholders not to neglect other areas that currently appear stable. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
26-05-2025
- Express Tribune
Year's third polio drive kicks off
A health worker administers polio drops to a child during a door-to-door vaccination campaign amidst heavy snow in the Bakwali-Surgan area of Azad Jammu Kashmir's Neelum Valley, on February 4, 2025. (AFP In continued efforts toward a polio-free Pakistan, the Pakistan Polio Programme launched its third National Immunisation Days (NIDs) campaign of the year on Sunday at the National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC), Islamabad. The campaign was formally inaugurated by Prime Minister's Focal Person for Polio Eradication Ayesha Raza Farooq, alongside members of the Polio Programme's core group and representatives of partner organisations. To mark the launch, Farooq administered oral polio vaccine and Vitamin A drops to children under five, reinforcing the government's unwavering commitment to eradicating the crippling disease from every corner of the country. Scheduled to begin on May 26, the weeklong campaign aims to vaccinate over 45 million children under five, making it a critical intervention in Pakistan's final push to interrupt poliovirus transmission and achieve eradication by the end of 2025. "Polio eradication is not just a health goal — it is a national imperative and a matter of immense pride for our country," Farooq said. "This third campaign of 2025 marks a decisive milestone in our 2-4-6 roadmap. These back-to-back rounds from September 2024 to May 2025 represent our most strategic opportunity to close immunity gaps and halt virus circulation before the high transmission season begins." Farooq acknowledged the persistent challenges in key reservoirs such as Karachi, South K-P and Quetta Block but noted encouraging progress in reaching previously underserved populations. She also extended heartfelt appreciation to the 400,000 frontline workers powering the campaign, including 225,000 female vaccinators and recognised the critical role of civil and military law enforcement in ensuring safe access to children. Despite major gains, wild poliovirus continues to pose a threat. Pakistan has confirmed 10 cases so far this year. Environmental surveillance has detected the virus in 272 sewage samples from 127 testing sites, across 68 districts, signalling continued circulation. Speaking at the event, UNICEF representative in Pakistan, Abdullah Fadil, expressed confidence in the programme's direction. As he concluded his tenure in Pakistan, Fadil commended the national leadership and Farooq for their tireless dedication to polio eradication. "Pakistan is closer than ever to making history. With continued political will, community engagement, and coordinated action by all partners, I believe this country can soon achieve a polio-free future," he said. The public is strongly encouraged to cooperate with vaccination teams and report any missed children via the Sehat Tahaffuz Helpline 1166 or the WhatsApp Helpline at 0346-7776546.
Express Tribune
26-03-2025
- Express Tribune
PM's aide alarmed over rising polio cases
Prime Minister's Focal Person on Polio Eradication, Ms Ayesha Raza Farooq on Wednesday called for strengthening the polio programme and making more efforts aimed at disease eradication due to rising cases in the country. "The ongoing outbreak is alarming, with six children already paralyzed in 2025," she said while chairing a meeting of the National Polio Management Team (NPMT) to assess progress, address emerging challenges, and refine strategies for the upcoming nationwide immunisation campaigns scheduled to take place in April and May. "We must remain vigilant, proactive, and committed to refining our approaches to stay ahead of the virus," she added while emphasizing the urgency of the moment. The meeting brought together national and provincial coordinators, core group members, and key stakeholders. The meeting reinforced the importance of gender-inclusive workforce participation, the synergy between Essential Immunization and Polio Eradication efforts, and adherence to the latest Technical Advisory Group (TAG) recommendations.
