ISLAMABAD, Oct 22 (APP):International partners have reaffirmed their support for Pakistan’s polio eradication efforts during a visit to the National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) for Polio Eradication.
The representatives expressed these views during a visit to the National Emergency Operations Centre for Polio Eradication, where they received a briefing on Pakistan’s current polio situation, surveillance systems, key challenges and strategic priorities.
The visit was arranged on the occasion of World Polio Day and included a special session attended by international partners, polio programme leadership and frontline workers to review progress and discuss strategies for achieving a polio-free Pakistan.
Addressing the session, Prime Minister’s Focal Person for Polio Eradication Ayesha Raza Farooq said sustained financial, technical and operational support from international partners remained critical to the country’s polio eradication efforts.
She emphasized that collective action, continued collaboration and the dedication of frontline workers were indispensable to achieving a polio-free Pakistan.
Highlighting progress, she said Balochistan had reported no polio cases since November 2024, while Punjab had reported no cases since February 2025.
She said more than 400,000 frontline workers were contributing to the national eradication effort, adding that their dedication remained essential to reaching every child with polio vaccine.
She also stressed that frontline workers’ field experiences and recommendations were crucial for effective planning and improving vaccination campaign implementation.
During the visit, the international partners also toured the Polio Regional Reference Laboratory at the National Institute of Health (NIH), where they were briefed on Pakistan’s poliovirus detection capabilities and surveillance systems.
The visit provided an opportunity to review the country’s laboratory and surveillance infrastructure and strengthen cooperation among national authorities, international partners and frontline teams.
The representatives reaffirmed that sustained partnerships and coordinated efforts would remain vital to addressing operational challenges and protecting children against polio.
Source: APP (Associated Press of Pakistan)
