Latest news with #PolioOversightBoard
Express Tribune
03-07-2025
- Health
- Express Tribune
Gandapur orders probe into Swat river tragedy
A rescue worker rows a raft while searching for survivors, after tourists, who were on a picnic, were swept away by overflowing floodwaters in the Swat River, in Swat Valley in Pakistan June 27, 2025. Photo: Reuters Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur has announced that a high-level committee has been formed to investigate the recent Swat tragedy, in which 14 people drowned in the Swat River. Speaking to the media after a court appearance at the Peshawar High Court, the chief minister said that anyone found negligent in the incident will not be spared. "The tragedy in the Swat River is extremely unfortunate. A committee has been constituted to probe the incident and is actively working. Those responsible for negligence or carelessness will be held accountable once the committee presents its report," Gandapur stated. He added that an indiscriminate anti-encroachment operation is underway across the province, particularly along the banks of the Swat River. "No one is above the lawillegal structures, no matter who they belong to, will be demolished," he asserted. Referring to Governor Faisal Karim Kundi, the chief minister launched a scathing attack, saying, "He can't even win a councillor's seat ... how can he overthrow our government?" The chief minister reaffirmed his government's commitment to removing encroachments without any discrimination and said that similar operations would be launched wherever illegal constructions are found in the province. Meanwhile, a high-level delegation of the Polio Oversight Board (POB), led by Dr Christopher Elias, called on Chief Minister Gandapur in Islamabad to review and reinforce anti-polio efforts in the province. The delegation included representatives from the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, Rotary International, and other global partner organizations. Also present were Prime Minister's Focal Person for Polio Eradication Ayesha Farooq, and senior officials from the National and Provincial Emergency Operation Centers. During the meeting, the participants reviewed the province's ongoing polio eradication efforts and agreed on further streamlining and strengthening strategies to eliminate the poliovirus from Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. Chief Minister expressed gratitude for the continued support of international partners and reaffirmed his government's commitment to eradicating polio. "The fight against polio is not just a provincial issue but a national and global responsibility," he said. He noted that the provincial government is taking special measures to bolster the immunization program and has begun customizing anti-polio campaigns to fit the unique needs of each district. "Our strategy now involves local solutions to local challenges," he said. To enhance the outreach and acceptance of polio campaigns, Gandapur said elected representatives and religious scholars are being actively involved. He urged local leaders and clerics to help dispel misconceptions and boost public trust in vaccination efforts.
Business Recorder
20-06-2025
- Health
- 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
Business Recorder
20-06-2025
- Health
- Business Recorder
Minister pledges to achieve polio-free future of country
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
Arab News
19-06-2025
- Health
- Arab News
Pakistan reports 99% drop in polio cases, urges more investment at Gavi board meeting
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has recorded a 99% decline in polio cases, Health Minister Syed Mustafa Kamal told the Gavi board meeting on Thursday, calling for more investments to "train and retain" vaccinators. The global vaccine organization Gavi helps low-income countries buy vaccines to protect against killer diseases. Around one billion children have been immunized as a result of Gavi's work across the world since 2000. Polio is a paralyzing disease with no cure, making prevention through vaccination critical. Multiple doses of the oral polio vaccine, along with the completion of the routine immunization schedule for all children, are essential to build strong immunity against the virus. According to Pakistan's polio program, 10 cases have been confirmed so far this year, with 74 reported in 2024. Environmental surveillance carried out earlier this year has detected the virus in 272 sewage samples collected from 127 testing sites across 68 districts, indicating ongoing transmission. "Pakistan has witnessed over a 99% decline in polio cases — a testament to our coordinated strategy, dedication of frontline workers and the collective efforts of all stakeholders," the health ministry quoted Kamal as saying following a virtual joint session of Gavi and Pakistan's Polio Oversight Board. However, the statement did not specify the starting point for this decline. "Strengthening the integrated immunization system requires continued support from both Gavi and the Polio Oversight Board,' he added. 'We need additional investments to ensure the training and retention of vaccinators." He called for implementing a joint strategy to reach zero-dose children and mobilizing biker teams to access far-flung areas. The health minister said "coordinated microplanning and effective monitoring" between polio and the Expanded Program on Immunization was improving immunization coverage and delivering results. Kamal said polio eradication remained the government's top priority, highlighting how Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif personally oversees the eradication efforts. Pakistan, one of the last two countries where polio remains endemic, has made significant progress in curbing the virus, with annual cases dropping from around 20,000 in the early 1990s to just eight in 2018. The country reported six cases in 2023 and only one in 2021. Pakistan launched its polio eradication program in 1994, but efforts have repeatedly been hindered by widespread vaccine misinformation and resistance from hardline religious groups who claim immunization campaigns are a Western conspiracy to sterilize Muslim children or a front for espionage. Militant groups have also targeted polio workers and their security escorts, often with deadly attacks that have hampered vaccination drives, particularly in the country's remote and conflict-prone regions. Pakistan and neighboring Afghanistan are the only two countries in the world where the poliovirus remains endemic.
