By USAID - USAID Bangladesh
Pakistan’s initiatives to eliminate the polio virus are showing encouraging results, as there have been no new cases of this debilitating disease reported in over two months.
This positive development follows the identification of six polio cases earlier this year, in addition to 74 cases recorded in 2024. Notably, there have been no new cases since February 10.
During a meeting on Thursday, chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to assess polio eradication efforts, it was reported that the halt in the virus’s transmission can be attributed to extensive nationwide vaccination campaigns, as noted by Dawn.
The Prime Minister praised the efforts of government agencies, international organizations, and partners dedicated to achieving a polio-free Pakistan. He instructed relevant authorities to enhance public awareness and community engagement regarding the vaccination campaigns throughout the country.
He emphasized the importance of ensuring that every child under the age of five receives the polio vaccine during the upcoming anti-polio campaign scheduled for April 21. Additionally, PM Shehbaz highlighted the necessity of maintaining routine immunization campaigns to protect against other serious diseases.
Despite facing difficult circumstances, healthcare workers involved in the anti-polio campaigns are playing a crucial role in combating this disease, with the Prime Minister expressing pride in the dedication of the vaccinators.
During the meeting, the Prime Minister received updates on the vaccination campaign set to run from April 21 to 27, which aims to reach 4.5 million children, supported by 415,000 polio workers.
He was informed that, following his directives, a third-party evaluation of the campaign will take place from April 28 to 30. Furthermore, the monitoring of the cold chain for the anti-polio campaigns is being conducted through a digital tracking system.
Pakistan remains one of only two countries in the world where polio is still endemic, the other being neighboring Afghanistan.
