Latest news with #PakistanPolioEradicationProgram
Express Tribune
07-03-2025
- Health
- Express Tribune
Pakistan honours female polio workers ahead of International Women's Day
The Pakistan Polio Eradication Program paid tribute to female polio workers on Friday, recognising their dedication and contributions in high-risk areas during a ceremony in Islamabad on Friday ahead of International Women's Day (March 8). Female health workers are at the forefront of the country's polio eradication efforts, constituting more than 58.4% of the polio workforce. They play a leading role in the crucial door-to-door inoculation drives, often working in some of the most challenging environments. During the ceremony, Ayesha Raza Farooq, the Prime Minister's Focal Person on Polio, reaffirmed the government's commitment to supporting female workers. "Today, as we commemorate International Women's Day, I want to reaffirm our collective commitment to ensuring a safe, dignified, and enabling environment for every female frontline worker," she said. Farooq also highlighted the Pakistan Polio Programme's implementation of an anti-harassment policy, ensuring a secure and professional environment for female workers. The event gathered national and provincial coordinators of the polio program, alongside senior officials, and included video messages from frontline female workers who shared their experiences. Many spoke about the challenges they face, such as convincing hesitant families to vaccinate their children, while expressing pride in their role in working towards a polio-free future. Anwarul Haq, the top official at the National Emergency Operations Center (NEOC), praised the dedication of female workers, calling them the 'backbone' of Pakistan's polio eradication efforts. 'This year's theme resonates deeply with us at the National Emergency Operations Center as we honor female polio workers who are considered as the backbone of Pakistan's polio eradication efforts,' he said. "These women work tirelessly, often in difficult and high-risk areas, to ensure every child receives the life-saving polio vaccine," he added. Haq further emphasised the importance of empowering women in public health roles. "Their courage and unwavering commitment reflect the incredible strength of Pakistani women," he said. "Empowering them is not just about recognizing their contributions: it is about strengthening our communities and ensuring a healthier, polio-free Pakistan," he added. Haq also stressed the significance of gender sensitivity in public health, noting that supporting women in frontline health roles contributes to building a more inclusive, resilient, and prosperous society. Pakistan recently concluded its first nationwide anti-polio campaign of 2025, with authorities reporting six polio cases so far this year. Additional vaccination rounds are planned for April and May, as the country continues its efforts to eradicate the disease.
Washington Post
28-02-2025
- Health
- Washington Post
Pakistan reports 2 new polio cases of the year despite anti-polio drives
ISLAMABAD — Pakistan has reported two new cases of polio in its southern and eastern provinces, health officials said on Friday, posing a setback to the country's efforts to eradicate a disease that remains endemic only in Pakistan and neighboring Afghanistan. The latest cases, confirmed by the Pakistan Polio Eradication Program, were detected in Sindh and Punjab provinces. This brings the total number of polio cases in Pakistan to five since January 2025. In 2024, Pakistan recorded 74 polio cases.
Yahoo
28-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Pakistan reports 2 new polio cases of the year despite anti-polio drives
ISLAMABAD (AP) — Pakistan has reported two new cases of polio in its southern and eastern provinces, health officials said on Friday, posing a setback to the country's efforts to eradicate a disease that remains endemic only in Pakistan and neighboring Afghanistan. The latest cases, confirmed by the Pakistan Polio Eradication Program, were detected in Sindh and Punjab provinces. This brings the total number of polio cases in Pakistan to five since January 2025. In 2024, Pakistan recorded 74 polio cases. The latest development comes as health workers conclude a targeted vaccination drive in high-risk areas later Friday. Earlier this month, authorities launched a weeklong nationwide anti-polio campaign aiming to immunize 44.2 million children under the age of five. Escorted by police, polio teams go door-to-door to administer the oral vaccine, though they are often attacked by militants who falsely claim that vaccination efforts are part of a Western plot to sterilize Muslim children. Since the 1990s, more than 200 polio workers and the police assigned to protect them have been killed in attacks.
Associated Press
28-02-2025
- Health
- Associated Press
Pakistan reports 2 new polio cases of the year despite anti-polio drives
ISLAMABAD (AP) — Pakistan has reported two new cases of polio in its southern and eastern provinces, health officials said on Friday, posing a setback to the country's efforts to eradicate a disease that remains endemic only in Pakistan and neighboring Afghanistan. The latest cases, confirmed by the Pakistan Polio Eradication Program, were detected in Sindh and Punjab provinces. This brings the total number of polio cases in Pakistan to five since January 2025. In 2024, Pakistan recorded 74 polio cases. The latest development comes as health workers conclude a targeted vaccination drive in high-risk areas later Friday. Earlier this month, authorities launched a weeklong nationwide anti-polio campaign aiming to immunize 44.2 million children under the age of five. Escorted by police, polio teams go door-to-door to administer the oral vaccine, though they are often attacked by militants who falsely claim that vaccination efforts are part of a Western plot to sterilize Muslim children. Since the 1990s, more than 200 polio workers and the police assigned to protect them have been killed in attacks.
Express Tribune
30-01-2025
- Health
- Express Tribune
Pakistan achieves 99% reduction in polio cases
Listen to article The World Health Organization (WHO) praised Pakistan on Thursday for reducing polio cases by over 99% since 1994, reaffirming its commitment to assist the country in completing the final phase of eradication. Despite significant progress, the disease has seen a resurgence in some of Pakistan's most volatile regions, and challenges remain in the fight against polio. The WHO, acknowledging Pakistan's efforts, emphasized that it would continue to support the country in 'running the last mile' to end the crippling disease. This message was delivered during Islamabad's hosting of the Technical Advisory Group for Polio Eradication, a key forum bringing together global experts to strategize on eliminating the global polio threat. Since the 1990s, when Pakistan reported around 20,000 cases annually, the country has made remarkable strides in polio eradication. By 2018, the number of cases had dropped to just eight, and only six cases were recorded in 2023. The WHO commended this progress, noting that Pakistan has reduced polio cases by more than 99% since 1994. However, recent setbacks have occurred, with 73 reported cases in 2022, a sharp rise from just one case in 2021. The most recent case was reported last Wednesday from Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, a province in northwestern Pakistan. Pakistan, along with neighboring Afghanistan, remains one of the last two polio-endemic countries globally. The resurgence of polio in certain regions, particularly Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, is exacerbated by challenges including militant attacks on health workers and misinformation spread by religious hard-liners. WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean, Hanan Balkhy, warned that the eradication efforts in both Afghanistan and Pakistan faced serious threats, particularly due to the suspension of foreign aid by the US under former President Donald Trump. On Tuesday, WHO's Deputy Director Dr. Mike Ryan also raised concerns about a funding gap of $68 million for polio eradication work in Pakistan, which could jeopardize the progress made so far. 'Urgent funding is required to ensure that hard-fought gains are not lost,' Dr. Ryan said in a video posted on X. Despite these challenges, Pakistan's commitment to polio eradication remains steadfast. The Pakistan Polio Eradication Program is set to launch its first nationwide vaccination drive of 2025 from February 3 to 9, aiming to immunize millions of children and bring the country closer to achieving a polio-free future.
