Latest news with #AyeshaRazaFarooq
Express Tribune
26-05-2025
- Health
- 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.
The Star
25-05-2025
- Health
- The Star
Pakistan launches national polio vaccination drive
ISLAMABAD, May 25 (Xinhua) -- Pakistan launched its third National Polio Vaccination Campaign of 2025 on Sunday to immunize more than 45 million children under the age of 5 against polio, said the health ministry. Prime Minister's Focal Person for Polio Eradication Ayesha Raza Farooq emphasized the national significance of polio eradication during an inauguration event, described it as a "matter of immense pride" and outlined a roadmap to interrupt virus transmission and achieve eradication by the end of 2025. "This campaign is a decisive milestone to achieve the complete eradication of the disease," said Farooq, highlighting the campaign's role in closing immunity gaps and halting virus circulation ahead of the high transmission season. So far this year, Pakistan has reported 10 polio cases, with environmental surveillance detecting the virus in 272 sewage samples from 127 testing sites across 68 districts, underscoring the continued threat, added the ministry.
Arab News
25-05-2025
- Health
- Arab News
Pakistan launches nationwide polio campaign to immunize over 45 million children
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has launched a third nationwide anti-polio vaccination campaign of this year that aims to inoculate 45 million children under five, the country's polio program said on Sunday. The campaign was formally inaugurated by Ayesha Raza Farooq, the prime minister's focal person for polio eradication, who administered oral polio vaccine and Vitamin A drops to children under five at the National Emergency Operations Center (NEOC) in Islamabad. Polio is a paralyzing disease with no cure. Multiple doses of the oral polio vaccine, along with the completion of the routine immunization schedule for all children are essential to ensure strong immunity against the disease. Pakistan has confirmed 10 cases so far this year, according to the polio program. Environmental surveillance has detected the virus in 272 sewage samples from 127 testing sites, across 68 districts, signaling continued circulation. '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.' Pakistan and Afghanistan are the only two countries in the world where polio remains endemic. The polio program described the weeklong campaign as a critical intervention in Pakistan's 'final push' to interrupt poliovirus transmission and achieve eradication by end of 2025. Farooq acknowledged persistent challenges in areas such as Karachi, southern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province and Quetta, but noted encouraging progress in reaching previously underserved populations. Around 400,000 frontline workers, including 225,000 woman vaccinators, are powering the campaign, according to the polio program. Speaking at the event, UNICEF Representative in Pakistan Abdullah Fadil, who just concluded his tenure, expressed confidence in the program's direction. '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. Pakistan's polio program began in 1994, but efforts to eradicate the virus have been repeatedly undermined by vaccine misinformation and resistance from some religious hard-liners who claim that immunization is a foreign plot to sterilize Muslim children or a cover for Western espionage. Militant groups have also frequently targeted polio vaccination teams and the security personnel assigned to protect them, often resulting in deadly attacks. The polio program has urged public 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
04-05-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Child rights report highlights key issues
The National Commission on the Rights of the Child (NCRC) launched its inaugural State of Children in Pakistan Report 2024 at recently held a ceremony in Islamabad. Federal Minister for Human Rights, Senator Azam Nazeer Tarar, was the chief guest at the launch, which was attended by ambassadors, UN representatives, parliamentarians, civil society representatives, and child rights advocates. The first-of-its-kind national report offers a comprehensive, evidence-based overview of the situation of children in Pakistan, covering key areas such as health, education, child protection, participation, and overall welfare. Developed to address the persistent gap in consolidated child-focused data, the report draws from a wide range of credible sources to present a clear picture of both progress and challenges. Key findings from the report highlight persistent issues, including high rates of out-of-school children, malnutrition, child labour, child marriage, and the vulnerability of children with disabilities and those from minority communities. At the same time, it documents progress in areas such as immunisation, legal reform, and awareness campaigns. The report concludes with practical, actionable recommendations to improve outcomes for children, including investing in early childhood development, strengthening child protection systems, and ensuring inclusive education and healthcare services. In her welcome remarks, NCRC Chairperson, Ayesha Raza Farooq said that while segregated and fragmented data have always existed, there has never been a comprehensive national report built exclusively on a child rights-based framework that integrates data across sectors- education, health, child protection, justice, inclusion, and participation. This report is designed to address that gap and serve as a foundational resource for policymakers, researchers, development partners, and advocates. Importantly, this report is also timely given Pakistan's upcoming review by the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child, scheduled for May 2025. We hope the committee will view this report as a serious and constructive step towards accountability and transparency in fulfilling our obligations under the UNCRC." As part of the launch event, a panel discussion titled "Realising the Convention on the Rights of Child in Pakistan" was held, featuring prominent experts and practitioners. The discussion highlighted critical intersections between policy, data, and action required to fulfil the rights of children in line with the UNCRC. FIA Additional Director, Amna Baig, emphasised the importance of forging strong partnerships with social media platforms to address cybercrime, noting that global policies often fail to reflect local realities, particularly in the context of transnational crimes, calling for greater contextualisation of international best practices. Sarah Belal, Executive Director, Justice Project Pakistan, called for reworking the juvenile justice framework in the country, stressing that child victims should not be criminalised and instead should be supported through diversion programs, rehabilitation centres, and an increased number of probation officers as resources and infrastructure need a significant increase. Dr Manizeh Bano, Executive Director of Sahil, spoke about the difficulties faced by civil society organisations in raising awareness around child rights and urged for stronger grassroots engagement.
Arab News
22-04-2025
- Health
- Arab News
Pakistan praises Islamic Development Bank's anti-polio efforts, with $587 million disbursed since 2013
ISLAMABAD: Pakistani prime minister's aide on polio eradication, Ayesha Raza Farooq, on Tuesday acknowledged the Islamic Development Bank's (IsDB) financial and strategic contributions to sustain its anti-polio program in the country. The IsDB has contributed over $587 million to eradicate poliovirus from Pakistan since 2013, making it one of the largest financiers of the country's anti-polio program. It announced a loan of $100 million in December 2023 to support Pakistan's polio eradication efforts. Farooq met a high-level delegation of the IsDB's Regional Hub in Turkiye at the National Emergency Operations Center (NEOC) in Islamabad on Tuesday, the Pakistan Polio Eradication Programme said. 'The Islamic Development Bank has been a pillar of strength for the Pakistan Polio Eradication Programme, especially during its most challenging phases,' Farooq was quoted as saying by Pakistan's anti-polio program. 'Your financial and strategic contributions have been instrumental in sustaining the program and ensuring that vaccination campaigns reach the most vulnerable children across the country.' Pakistan is only one of two countries worldwide where polio remains endemic. The Pakistani government launched a seven-day nationwide campaign on Monday to vaccinate over 45 million children against the disease. Dr. Walid Mohamad Abdelwahab, director of the IsDB's regional hub in Turkiye, reaffirmed the institution's support for Pakistan in achieving a polio-free future, the statement said. He commended Pakistan for its efforts and collaboration in the fight against polio, it added. The delegation briefly visited the NEOC control room following the meeting, where they were informed about the national reach of the campaign. The IsDB delegation was told the campaign would cover over 45.4 million children through the efforts of more than 400,000 frontline health workers via door-to-door vaccinations. 'IsDB commended the Government of Pakistan's relentless efforts and reaffirmed its support in reaching the last mile of polio eradication,' Pakistan's anti-polio program said. In 2024, Pakistan reported an alarming 74 polio cases. The country's polio program, launched in 1994, has faced persistent challenges including vaccine misinformation and resistance from some religious hard-liners, who claim immunization is a foreign conspiracy to sterilize Muslim children or a guise for Western espionage. Militant groups have also repeatedly targeted and killed polio vaccination workers during nationwide drives.
