Pakistan’s progress over polio eradication reviewed

Health minister expresses commitment to rid Pakistan of killer virus with continued support

ISLAMABAD: The Independent Monitoring Board (IMB) of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) met in London on Tuesday to review global progress on polio eradication efforts.

The two-day meeting of the board is meant to review the remaining challenges and progress made in eradicating the killer disease, with particular focus on the remaining endemic countries: Pakistan, Afghanistan and Nigeria.

Federal Minister for National Health Services, Regulations & Coordination Saira Afzal Tarar is leading Pakistan’s delegation at the meeting, and is joined by Senator Ayesha Raza Farooq, Prime Minister’s Focal Person for Polio Eradication; and Dr Rana Muhammad Safdar, National Coordinator of the National Emergency Operation Centre for Polio Eradication.



The IMB is mandated by the World Health Assembly to provide independent assessments of progress made and report to countries with an ultimate aim to guide eradication efforts.

In its 15th session held in May 2017, the IMB recognised the great progress made in Pakistan’s polio situation to date and called for more innovative approaches to end polio in the country once and for all.

With five cases reported so far this year, this is the best-ever case count Pakistan has recorded. The historic achievement has been credited to the hard work of thousands of frontline workers deployed during vaccination campaigns across the country.

“The best way to honour the commitment of our frontline health workers is to ensure that we finish the job and build a better future for all of our children and future generations,” said Tarar, the federal health minister, while addressing the Tuesday’s session.

Building on the last IMB recommendations, Pakistan developed its National Emergency Action Plan 2017-18 with innovative strategies to stop transmission during this next season and focused diligently on implementing those strategies, she added.



“Let me assure the IMB that the government of Pakistan under the leadership of the prime minister remains fully committed to climb towards zero with the continued support and contribution of all the partners at this table,” the minister said.

“Polio eradication is the beginning of our efforts to reach our most vulnerable children with equitable access to health care,” she added.