Polio eradication drive to start Sept 1
Environmental surveillance has detected wild poliovirus in a sewage sample from Hyderabad, according to a report of the Regional Reference Laboratory for Polio Eradication, at the National Institute of Health (NIH) in Islamabad. The positive sample has been detected for the sixth time this year, under a monthly surveillance mechanism in which samples are collected from sewage pumping stations. The last positive sample was found in May.
In light of the finding, a meeting of the district polio eradication committee was held on Monday, under the chairmanship of Deputy Commissioner Zain-ul-Abidin Memon and SSP Adeel Hussain Chandio. Participants were briefed about the upcoming polio eradication campaign scheduled from September 1 to 7, 2025. Officials also informed the meeting that the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccination drive will commence on September 15, 2025.
During the drive, children under five years of age will be administered anti-polio drops. Memon termed the campaign a national responsibility, and directed officials to closely monitor the movement of people coming from other districts, to prevent the spread of the virus. Further, the DC emphasised that during the rainy season, special attention must be paid to densely populated areas, in order to ensure no child is left unvaccinated. Departments were urged to extend maximum support to field teams, and the DC stressed the need for effective coverage in all union councils, along with the timely submission of performance reports.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Business Recorder
13 hours ago
- Business Recorder
HPV vaccine to help control rising incidence of cancer: minister
LAHORE: Terming the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine as a visionary initiative of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, Punjab Finance Minister, Mian Mujtaba Shuja-ur-Rehman said this vaccine will play a vital role in controlling the rising incidence of cancer, particularly cervical cancer among women. While addressing the inaugural ceremony of the HPV vaccine, organized by the Institute of Public Health, Lahore, Mujtaba said this vaccine will help safeguard the health of women in the province. For the first time in Pakistan's history, Punjab has taken the lead in introducing this vaccine, reflecting the government's seriousness in combating cervical cancer, he said, adding: 'The Punjab government is not only launching the vaccine but also ensuring easy access and creating public awareness regarding its importance.' Earlier, the minister also inaugurated two new departments at the Institute of Public Health i.e., the Department of Preventive Pediatrics and the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics. He said the establishment of these departments is a welcome step to address critical health challenges such as prevention of childhood diseases and tackling malnutrition. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
19 hours ago
- Express Tribune
Polio eradication drive to start Sept 1
A health worker administers anti-polio drops to a child during the launch of the citywide vaccination campaign, marking another crucial step in the fight to protect future generations from the crippling disease. PHOTO: JALAL QURESHI/EXPRESS Environmental surveillance has detected wild poliovirus in a sewage sample from Hyderabad, according to a report of the Regional Reference Laboratory for Polio Eradication, at the National Institute of Health (NIH) in Islamabad. The positive sample has been detected for the sixth time this year, under a monthly surveillance mechanism in which samples are collected from sewage pumping stations. The last positive sample was found in May. In light of the finding, a meeting of the district polio eradication committee was held on Monday, under the chairmanship of Deputy Commissioner Zain-ul-Abidin Memon and SSP Adeel Hussain Chandio. Participants were briefed about the upcoming polio eradication campaign scheduled from September 1 to 7, 2025. Officials also informed the meeting that the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccination drive will commence on September 15, 2025. During the drive, children under five years of age will be administered anti-polio drops. Memon termed the campaign a national responsibility, and directed officials to closely monitor the movement of people coming from other districts, to prevent the spread of the virus. Further, the DC emphasised that during the rainy season, special attention must be paid to densely populated areas, in order to ensure no child is left unvaccinated. Departments were urged to extend maximum support to field teams, and the DC stressed the need for effective coverage in all union councils, along with the timely submission of performance reports.
Business Recorder
a day ago
- Business Recorder
Two new polio cases push Pakistan's 2025 tally to 21
The Regional Reference Laboratory for Polio Eradication at the National Institute of Health (NIH) has confirmed two new cases of polio in Pakistan, climbing the countrywide tally to 21 this year. According to the official of Regional Reference Laboratory for Polio Eradication, one case was reported from district Kohistan Lower, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and the other from district Badin, Sindh. The latest cases involve a 72-month-old girl from Union Council Pattan in District Kohistan Lower and a 21-month-old girl from Union Council Matli-2 in District Badin. With these detections, the total number of polio cases in Pakistan in 2025 has reached 21 with 13 from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, six from Sindh, and one each from Punjab and Gilgit-Baltistan. Unfinished fight against poliovirus He said that 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, alongside timely completion of all routine immunizations. He said that despite significant progress, the continued detection of polio cases shows that children remain at risk in areas with low vaccine acceptance. He added from September 1 to 7, 2025, a Sub-National Polio Vaccination Campaign will take place, targeting more than 28 million children under the age of five in 99 districts across all provinces and regions. The official said that the campaign in southern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa will be conducted from September 15. The goal is to ensure every child in these districts receives the vaccine to protect them from the lifelong consequences of polio. NIH confirms three new polio cases 'This campaign is part of ongoing efforts to quickly strengthen immunity among children and close existing protection gaps,' he added. He said that parents and caregivers have been urged to ensure their children receive the polio vaccine during this and every campaign. He said while frontline health workers continue to deliver critical vaccines to children, parents and caregivers can play an important role by ensuring their children receive all recommended doses of the polio vaccine and complete their routine immunizations. He said communities can protect their children by actively supporting vaccination efforts, countering misinformation, and encouraging others to vaccinate.
