Commitment to eradicating polio by finalising ‘Road to Zero' strategy reaffirmed
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
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Business Recorder
2 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
28-07-2025
- Express Tribune
Vehari hospitals overwhelmed by measles outbreak
A growing measles outbreak in Vehari and its surrounding villages has exposed severe cracks in the district's healthcare system, with overcrowded hospitals, lack of basic facilities, and delayed medical response. In Chak 37 WB's Basti Sheikhawali, residents claim that at least two children have died from measles-related complications. Families say health teams failed to arrive in time, and critical care was either delayed or absent altogether. In hospitals, patientsmostly childrenare reportedly being treated on the floor or squeezed two or three to a bed due to a severe shortage of space and resources. Frustrated locals staged protests, accusing the health department of focusing on "photo opportunities" rather than delivering effective, on-ground interventions. "Where were the teams when our children were dying?" asked one protester. Health authorities, however, have rejected claims of negligence and measles-related deaths. Vehari Health CEO Dr Fahad Waheed stated that no fatalities due to measles have been recorded and that the Expanded Program on Immunisation (EPI) teams are active in the field. He said 578 suspected measles cases have been reported in the district since January 2025, but only 66 have tested positive so far. In Union Council 5, of the nine suspected cases, only one was clinically confirmed. Dr Waheed further emphasised that MR1 and MR2 vaccination rates in Vehari stand at 92% and 90%, respectivelyfigures consistent with national targets. Regarding a child's death in Shabbirabad, which residents linked to the measles outbreak, the health department clarified it was caused by neonatal tetanus following an unsafe delivery conducted at home by an untrained midwife. Legal action has been recommended against those responsible and crash immunisation and awareness campaigns are now underway in the affected regions. Despite these clarifications, civil society leaders remain unconvinced. Civic activist Sajid Masood Mughal, expressed skepticism over official statements. "The numbers don't match the chaos we're witnessing in hospitals. Bed shortages and lack of urgent care are real," said a resident. The local activists called on the Punjab government to ensure swift, visible action, warning that without expanded vaccination, early diagnosis, and grassroots awareness, the situation could deteriorate further. They also urged authorities to strengthen the district's healthcare infrastructure before the outbreak spirals out of control.
Business Recorder
20-06-2025
- Business Recorder
Minister pledges to achieve polio-free future of Pakistan
ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for National Health Services, Regulations, and Coordination Syed Mustafa Kamal has said that polio eradication is the top priority of the government and federal health ministry along with provincial health departments are fully committed to achieving a polio-free future for children of the country. He made these remarks while virtually attending the joint session of the Gavi Board and the Polio Oversight Board (POB), where he represented the government of Pakistan and shared key updates on national progress in the fight against polio. He highlighted that the prime minister of Pakistan is personally overseeing the polio eradication efforts and chairs monthly stocktake meetings to review progress. Sharing the latest progress, the minister stated, 'Pakistan has witnessed over a 99 percent decline in polio cases a testament to our coordinated strategy, dedication of frontline workers, and the collective efforts of all stakeholders.' He emphasised the implementation of a joint strategy to reach zero-dose children, with mobile biker teams mobilized to access nomadic and hard-to-reach populations. Underscoring the importance of global partnerships, the minister added, 'Strengthening the integrated immunization system requires continued support from both Gavi and the Polio Oversight Board. We need additional investments to ensure the training and retention of vaccinators.' He noted that enhanced synergy between the polio and EPI (Expanded Programme on Immunization) initiatives is improving immunisation coverage, while coordinated microplanning and effective monitoring are delivering tangible results in the field. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
