Year's third polio drive kicks off
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.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Express Tribune
8 hours ago
- Express Tribune
3 new polio cases push national tally to 17
Listen to article The Regional Reference Laboratory for Polio Eradication at the National Institute of Health (NIH) has confirmed three new polio cases, raising the country's tally for 2025 to 17. According to the laboratory, the new cases were detected in Takhtikhel (Lakki Marwat district) and Mir Ali (North Waziristan district) of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P), as well as Chajro in Umerkot district of Sindh. The affected children include a 15 month old girl from Lakki Marwat, a six month old girl from North Waziristan, and a five year old boy from Umerkot. So far this year, 10 cases have been reported in K P, five in Sindh, and one each in Punjab and Gilgit Baltistan. Polio is a highly contagious and incurable disease that can cause lifelong paralysis. The only reliable protection is through repeated doses of the oral polio vaccine (OPV) for every child under five during each vaccination campaign. While significant progress has been made in eradicating the virus, the emergence of new cases highlights the ongoing threat to children, particularly in regions with low vaccine acceptance. A special vaccination drive is currently under way in the bordering union councils, synchronised with Afghanistan's sub-national polio campaign. Additionally, a fractional IPV-OPV campaign began in the Chaman district on July 21, which will be rolled out in six more districts of Balochistan from July 28. Official sources in Peshawar said that of the 10 cases in K-P, three have been reported from Bannu, two each from Lakki Marwat and North Waziristan, and one each from Tank, Torghar, and Dera Ismail Khan districts. According to a report released in May 2025, there had been 17,136 refusal cases in Peshawar – the highest number of people declining to allow administration of polio vaccines to their children. Other areas include Mardan, 6,812 cases; Bannu, 10,781, Laaki Marwat, 976; DI Khan, 2,128; and Kohat, 1,009. Shafiullah Khan, the coordinator of the Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) in K-P, said that awareness campaigns through media were playing a vital role, and the number of parents refusing vaccination had been decreasing significantly. "Once there were thousands of refusals, now only a few areas remain, and efforts are under way to address those too," Khan said. He acknowledged the challenges in the fight against polio, noting a lack of communication access and the ongoing security concerns in tribal districts as major concerns. The government and the partner organisations were actively working to eliminate the virus, but "due to the fragile security situation in certain tribal regions, our campaigns often face obstacles," Khan said. He stressed the need for collective responsibility and joint efforts to eliminate polio.
Business Recorder
17 hours ago
- Business Recorder
Ghana records first Mpox death as cases surge
ACCRA: Ghana has recorded its first death from Mpox, health authorities confirmed Sunday, amid a sharp rise in new infections in the West African country. Twenty-three new cases have been confirmed in the past week, bringing the total number of infections to 257 since the virus was first detected in Ghana in June 2022. The latest figure marks the highest weekly increase since the outbreak began and the first fatality recorded in the country. Health minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh told AFP 'that the situation is under control.' Int'l passengers: First Mpox case of 2025 confirmed at Peshawar airport 'The key to limiting this outbreak is early detection and responsible behaviour,' Akandoh said. Mpox, previously known as Monkeypox, is a viral infection related to smallpox, causing fever, body aches and distinct skin lesions and can be deadly. The disease spreads through close physical contact with infected individuals or contaminated materials. A Ghanaian government agency responsible for public health is expected to receive vaccines from the World Health Organization this week. 'Our at-risk populations have already been identified, and we are ready to roll out vaccination as soon as doses arrive,' a director with the service, Franklyn Asiedu-Bekoe, told AFP. The outbreak in Ghana mirrors a broader trend across West Africa, where health officials are struggling to contain the disease. Thousands of cases have been recorded this year in the region, with Sierra Leone registering a total of 3,350 cases, including 16 deaths - from January to late May of this year. Elsewhere thousands more cases have also been detected this year across DR Congo, Uganda and Burundi, according to WHO. Africa CDC figures released last week show over 47,000 confirmed cases and 221 deaths reported across the continent since January last year. At least 27,000 of those cases were recorded this year alone. Last month WHO director Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the virus remains an international health emergency amid the rise in West African cases.
Express Tribune
21 hours ago
- Express Tribune
NIH confirms three polio cases in K-P, Sindh
Listen to article Pakistan has reported three new polio cases, raising the total number of confirmed cases in 2025 to 17, according to the National Institute of Health (NIH) in Islamabad. The latest cases were confirmed by the Regional Reference Laboratory for Polio Eradication at NIH on Sunday. Two of the cases were reported from Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P)— in the districts of Lakki Marwat and North Waziristan — while the third was from Umerkot district in Sindh. The affected children include a 15-month-old girl from Union Council Takhtikhel in Lakki Marwat, a six-month-old girl from Union Council Mir Ali-3 in North Waziristan, and a five-year-old boy (60 months old) from Union Council Chajro in Umerkot, Sindh. With these additions, the provincial breakdown of polio cases this year stands at 10 in K-P, five in Sindh, and one each in Punjab and Gilgit-Baltistan. Polio is a highly contagious, incurable disease that can cause lifelong paralysis. Health officials warn that the only effective protection is through repeated doses of the oral polio vaccine (OPV) for every child under five, alongside the timely completion of essential immunisations. 'Every unvaccinated child is at risk and can also pose a risk to others. Poliovirus can resurface wherever immunity gaps exist,' an official said, stressing the importance of vaccination coverage. A special anti-polio campaign is currently under way from July 21 to 27 in border Union Councils, aligned with Afghanistan's sub-national polio campaign. A fractional IPV-OPV campaign also launched in District Chaman on July 21 and is scheduled to expand to six additional districts of Balochistan from July 28. Health authorities have reiterated that polio eradication is a collective responsibility. 'While frontline polio workers continue to deliver life-saving vaccines, it is equally important for all parents and caregivers to ensure that their children receive every dose,' the official added. Communities are urged to support vaccination drives, counter misinformation, and encourage full immunisation to prevent the resurgence of the virus.
