Pakistan reports another polio case in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
In a follow-up on the polio situation in Pakistan, The Regional Reference Laboratory for Polio Eradication at the National Institute of Health Islamabad has confirmed a polio case from District Bannu, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
This is the third polio case from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the eighth case from Pakistan at large this year (Sindh province (4) and Punjab (1)).
The second nationwide Polio campaign of the year is currently underway, from April 21 to 27, with the goal of vaccinating 45.4 million children under the age of five across Pakistan. This will be followed by another nationwide campaign from May 26 to June 1.
In a high-level meeting held on 23 April 2025, Coordinator, National Emergency Operations Centre Muhammad Anwaar Ul Haq, Emergency Operations Centre Balochistan Coordinator Mr. Inam-ul-Haq, and Dr. Hamid Jafari met with Balochistan Chief Secretary Mr. Shakeel Qadir Khan to review and strengthen strategies for polio eradication in the province.
The delegation acknowledged the unwavering commitment of the provincial government and expressed satisfaction with the progress made.
Chief Secretary reaffirmed Balochistan’s resolve to achieve a polio-free future, underscoring alignment with the national vision. He emphasized the crucial role of lady health workers in the success of the campaign and highlighted ongoing measures to ensure their consistent deployment, including comprehensive security measures for frontline polio teams.
He further noted substantial steps to bolster public healthcare, including the landmark recruitment of a significant number of doctors to operationalize hospitals, rural health centers, and basic health units across the province. Dr. Jafari commended the leadership of the Chief Minister, Chief Secretary, and provincial administration, and affirmed mutual agreement on intensifying efforts to strengthen routine immunization across the province.