N Waziristan case takes tally to 14
With this latest detection, the total number of polio cases reported in Pakistan in 2025 has risen to 14 - including eight from K-P, four from Sindh, and one each from Punjab and Gilgit-Baltistan.
Polio is a highly infectious and incurable disease that can cause lifelong paralysis. The only effective protection is through repeated doses of the oral polio vaccine (OPV) for every child under five during each campaign, along with timely completion of all essential immunizations.
While nationwide efforts to eradicate polio continue to improve the quality of vaccination campaigns, the southern districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa remain a major concern due to limited access and challenges in conducting house-to-house vaccination. These obstacles result in missed opportunities, leaving thousands of children unvaccinated and vulnerable to poliovirus.
A special vaccination activity was conducted in six union councils of Bannu from June 23 to 28, during which 17,485 children received the Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV). A similar targeted vaccination drive is being planned in 11 union councils of North Waziristan.
Additionally, preparations are underway for a large-scale special vaccination campaign in South K-P, scheduled for August.
Recent polio cases in South K-P are a stark reminder that children missed during vaccination campaigns remain at serious risk. While the programme is making every effort to reach every child, the role of parents is critical.
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PM pledges to end polio despite challenges
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif vowed on Thursday to intensify efforts to eradicate polio, amid persistent security threats and logistical hurdles that continue to undermine the campaign. Addressing the anti-polio task force, he stressed the urgency of reaching every child with multiple vaccine doses, underscoring the government's commitment to stamping out the crippling disease despite ongoing resistance and attacks on health workers. 'We will not allow polio to cripple our children or our future,' Sharif said, reiterating pledges made by his predecessors amid recurring outbreaks that have dogged the country for years. While acknowledging progress credited to frontline workers, provincial authorities, and international partners, Sharif did not shy away from highlighting the risks faced by vaccination teams – who have been targeted by militants and met with public distrust in some regions. 'The safety of polio workers remains paramount,' he said, calling on law enforcement and all stakeholders to 'redouble their efforts' in a campaign he described as a national priority. Sharif also singled out international support, praising Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for his comprehensive backing and lauding the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation's role in sustaining the costly, complex fight against the virus. A briefing during the meeting revealed new targeted campaigns in Southern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa – a known hotspot – tailored to overcome local barriers that have repeatedly stalled eradication efforts. Officials acknowledged the dual challenge of vaccinating children and rooting out environmental reservoirs of the virus that allow it to persist in some districts. Among those attending were senior figures from the Gates Foundation, World Health Organization, UNICEF, Saudi Arabia's KS Relief, Rotary International, alongside Minister for National Health Services Mustafa Kamal, Minister of State for National Health Dr Mukhtar Ahmed Bharath, the Prime Minister's Focal Person on Polio Eradication Ayesha Raza Farooq, chief secretaries from all provinces, Gilgit-Baltistan, Azad Jammu & Kashmir, and Islamabad Capital Territory, alongside the National Coordinator for Polio Eradication. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
3 days ago
- Express Tribune
N Waziristan case takes tally to 14
The Regional Reference Laboratory for Polio Eradication at the National Institute of Health (NIH), Islamabad, has confirmed a polio case from North Waziristan district, South Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. A 19-month-old boy from Union Council Miranshah-3 has been identified as the eighth polio case from K-P this year. With this latest detection, the total number of polio cases reported in Pakistan in 2025 has risen to 14 - including eight from K-P, four from Sindh, and one each from Punjab and Gilgit-Baltistan. Polio is a highly infectious and incurable disease that can cause lifelong paralysis. The only effective protection is through repeated doses of the oral polio vaccine (OPV) for every child under five during each campaign, along with timely completion of all essential immunizations. While nationwide efforts to eradicate polio continue to improve the quality of vaccination campaigns, the southern districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa remain a major concern due to limited access and challenges in conducting house-to-house vaccination. These obstacles result in missed opportunities, leaving thousands of children unvaccinated and vulnerable to poliovirus. A special vaccination activity was conducted in six union councils of Bannu from June 23 to 28, during which 17,485 children received the Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV). A similar targeted vaccination drive is being planned in 11 union councils of North Waziristan. Additionally, preparations are underway for a large-scale special vaccination campaign in South K-P, scheduled for August. Recent polio cases in South K-P are a stark reminder that children missed during vaccination campaigns remain at serious risk. While the programme is making every effort to reach every child, the role of parents is critical.
Express Tribune
3 days ago
- Express Tribune
Pakistan's polio tally rises to 14 as NIH confirms new case in North Waziristan
Listen to article A new polio case has been reported in the North Waziristan district of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, confirmed the Regional Reference Laboratory for Polio Eradication at the National Institute of Health (NIH) Islamabad on Tuesday. A 19-month-old boy from Union Council Miranshah-3, North Waziristan, has been confirmed as the eighth polio case from K-P this year. With this latest case, the total number of polio cases in Pakistan in 2025 now stands at 14, including eight from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, four from Sindh, and one each from Punjab and Gilgit-Baltistan. Polio is a highly infectious and incurable disease that can cause lifelong paralysis. The only effective protection is repeated doses of the polio vaccine for every child under five during each campaign, along with timely completion of all essential immunisations. While nationwide efforts to eradicate polio continue to improve the quality of vaccination campaigns, the southern districts of K-P remain a major concern due to limited access and challenges in conducting house-to-house vaccinations. These obstacles lead to missed opportunities, leaving thousands of children unvaccinated and vulnerable to the poliovirus. A special vaccination activity was conducted in six union councils of Bannu from June 23 to 28, during which 17,485 children received the vaccine. A similar targeted vaccination drive is being planned for 11 union councils of North Waziristan. Additionally, preparations are underway for a large-scale special vaccination campaign in southern K-P, scheduled for August.
