Latest news with #NationalImmunisationDays
Express Tribune
27-05-2025
- Health
- Express Tribune
President, PM condemn deadly attack on polio team in Nushki
Listen to article Pakistan's President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday condemned a deadly attack on a polio vaccination team in Nushki, Balochistan. A police constable assigned to guard the team was martyred, and another policeman was injured when unidentified gunmen opened fire. The attack took place on Tuesday as the team was carrying out routine vaccination work in the area. President Zardari expressed deep concern over the incident and paid tribute to polio workers who risk their lives to protect children across the country. In a message tied to the ongoing nationwide anti-polio campaign, Zardari noted that cases of the crippling disease have dropped by over 90 percent due to consistent vaccination efforts, monitoring, and the bravery of health teams. However, he warned that the fight against polio is not yet over and called for continued support for eradication efforts. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also condemned the attack and offered condolences to the family of the slain worker. He vowed that those responsible would face strict action and reaffirmed his government's commitment to protecting polio teams from militant threats. Polio teams in Pakistan have frequently been targeted in deadly attacks, particularly in remote or conflict-affected areas, making the country one of only two where polio remains endemic. Pakistan has recorded 10 polio cases so far in 2025, official figures show. Peanwhile two polio workers were abducted by armed men on in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa's Tank district, during an ongoing anti-polio campaign on Monday. The incident occurred in the Jandola tribal subdivision. The victims were identified as Sifatullah, a COMNet staff member, and Hizbullah, a volunteer. Both were performing vaccination duties at the time of the abduction. Pakistan launches third nationwide polio drive of 2025 Pakistan's Polio Programme launched its third National Immunisation Days (NIDs) campaign of the year on Sunday at the National Emergency Operations Centre in Islamabad. The campaign was inaugurated by Ayesha Raza Farooq, the Prime Minister's Focal Person for Polio Eradication, along with key programme officials and partner organisations. To mark the launch, Ayesha Raza Farooq administered oral polio vaccine and Vitamin A drops to children under five, reaffirming the government's commitment to wiping out polio. The weeklong drive began on May 26 and aims to vaccinate over 45 million children under the age of five.
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.
Express Tribune
18-04-2025
- Health
- Express Tribune
Sindh youth to travel abroad for education, jobs
Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah held separate meetings with Rana Mashhood, Chairman of the Prime Minister's Youth Programme, and the Federal Minister for Religious Affairs to discuss matters relevant to their domains. In his meeting with Rana Mashhood, the CM discussed strengthening coordination between the Prime Minister's Youth Programme and the Sindh Sports and Youth Affairs Department. They agreed that through this collaboration, youth from Sindh would have the opportunity to travel to different countries for employment, educational exchanges, and exposure visits. Mashhood briefed the chief minister on the newly launched Digital Youth Hub, an initiative designed to connect youth with employment opportunities in both the public and private sectors. He shared the vision of sending skilled Pakistani youth abroad for work and highlighted the global demand for trained professionals from Pakistan. Anti-polio campaign The chief minister, presiding over a meeting of the Provincial Task Force for Polio Eradication, said that the province has reported four polio cases in 2025, compared to 23 in 2024 and 2 in 2023, therefore, there is a need for enhanced coordination across all districts in preparation for the upcoming National Immunisation Days (NIDs) scheduled from April 21 to 27, 2025. "Our efforts this year must be focused on ensuring that every child receives the anti-polio vaccine," he said. Provincial Health Minister Dr Azra Fazal Pechuho informed the meeting that four current cases have been identified in Badin, Larkana, Kambar, and Thatta dsitricts. Dr Azra Pechuho highlighted the need for sustained follow-up in communities affected by misinformation. IFC delegation The chief minister met a delegation of International Finance Corporation (IFC), at the CM House. The delegation was led by Ms Linda Rudo Munyengeterwa, Director for Public-Private Partnerships, Privatisations & Corporate Finance Advisory, IFC Global, to discuss urban mobility, water, and sanitation projects.
