Thursday, December 19

Pakistan Polio Eradication Initiative

Prime Minister National Health Service Coordinator Malik Mukhtar Ahmed accompanied by Federal Health Minister Nadeem Mahboob, visited the National Emergency Operation for Polio Eradication to review the progress of polio eradication efforts in the country. visited the center. These dignitaries met with leaders of the Pakistan Polio Program, toured the NEOC polio control office, and interacted with NEOC teams and provincial EOC leaders. In a meeting with the NEOC team, they reiterated the government's commitment to polio eradication. Dr. Speaking on the occasion, the Prime Minister's Health Coordinator Malik Mukhtar Ahmed Bharat said polio eradication is a priority for the Prime Minister and the program will continue to receive full support from the government to ensure all challenges are met. He said he would go. “It is unfortunate that polio continues to pose a threat to children, even though it has been eradicated in most parts of the world.” “Eradicating polio is not just my agenda, it is a very personal mission for me, which is why NEOC is one of my first initiatives in this new role.” I am committed to working with all NEOC and PEOC polio eradication partners and stakeholders to ensure the well-being of all children, free from the disabling threat of poliovirus. Masu. Federal Health Minister Nadeem Mahboob said  While the progress made through this program is encouraging, much work remains to be done to achieve the final milestone - complete eradication in Pakistan. Dr. NEOC Coordinator Shahzad Baig briefed senior officials on the current polio situation and ongoing eradication efforts at the national and state levels. He highlighted that the polio program has made great strides in the fight against polio over the past five years. ``I have set two goals for this year,'' he said. First, to stop the transmission of the local YB3C poliovirus geno group by the middle of this year, and second, to stop all outbreaks of imported YB3A viruses and stop their transmission by the end of this year. Since last year, we have carried out an intensive vaccination program and will continue this this year to ensure that children have high immunity against polio infections.   State coordinators also gave presentations on their progress and challenges. The NEOC leadership thanked the Prime Minister Coordinator and the Minister of Health for their visit and expressed their determination to continue efforts to ensure polio eradication in Pakistan. The Pakistan Times

The National Emergency Operations Center for Polio Eradication organized a briefing for the donors and partner organizations supporting the Pakistan Polio Eradication Initiative (PEI) to apprise them on the progress of polio eradication efforts in the country.

Coordinator to the Prime Minister on National Health Services Regulations and Coordination Dr Malik Mukhtar Ahmad Bharath was the chief guest, while Federal Health Secretary MrNadeem Mahboob, country representatives of WHO and UNICEF, Trustee Rotary Foundation and Pakistan National Polio Plus Committee Chairman Mr Aziz Memon, and representatives from donor agencies were in attendance.

In his address, Dr Malik Mukhtar Ahmad Bharath said that Pakistan is committed to fulfilling its obligations under global public health and eradicating polio to make the dream of a polio-free world a reality.

Highlighting the Polio Programme progress  With the support of our valued partners and donors we are running the largest polio eradication programme in the world backed by an extensive poliovirus surveillance network and modern lab. Yet we continue to detect cases, which means we still have a lot more work to do to ensure that every child is protected.

He added The strong commitment and dedication of our partner agencies and donors has been crucial in bringing us this close to polio eradication. I hope that this support continues as Pakistan positions itself to interrupt poliovirus transmission this year.

Addressing the gathering, Health Secretary Mr Nadeem Mahboob said that the Health Ministry is providing full support to the Polio Programme as it endeavors to reach every child with the vaccine.  

“I extend my profound gratitude to our donors and partner agencies for their commitment to the wellbeing of Pakistan’s children and support for strengthening health systems.

NEOC Coordinator Dr Shahzad Baig gave a briefing on the current epidemiological situation, progress, challenges and needs. He highlighted that in the coming months, the Programme will focus on intensifying vaccination rounds, strengthening vaccination at the border and reaching communities with health services to create goodwill and trust.

Dr Baig facilitated a discussion with the guests with the aim of strengthening collaborative efforts in the mission of polio eradication.

Representatives from the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) partner agencies, including WHO and UNICEF, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Rotary International, US-CDC, World Bank, Asian Development Bank, Canadian High Commission, Asian Development Bank, Australian High Commission, French Development Bank, US-AID, KFW, and Qatar Charity graced the occasion and reaffirmed their commitment to supporting Pakistan in its journey to eradicate polio.

The pakistan Times Polio Editor Kamran raja Speaking on behalf of UNICEF Representative in Pakistan MrAbdullah Fadil, Ms Melissa Corkum, the UNICEF National Polio Team Lead, said We have made clear progress towards stopping polio. But even one polio case is a public health crisis and threatens to undo our years of hard work. If there was ever a time where we need to re-ignite our collective efforts, to be strong and united as partners, it is now.

Dr Luo Dapeng, WHO Representative in Pakistan said An investment in polio eradication makes a huge difference to children not just in Pakistan, but the world. As we move closer to polio eradication in Pakistan, it is critical that the ongoing support of partner and donor agencies continues so that the gains we have made can remain in place and we cross the finish line.

Sub Editor: Nosheen