National Meet Pushes for Collective Effort to Eradicate Polio in Pakistan

Islamabad: The Parliamentary Caucus on Child Rights (PCCR) hosted a National Meet titled “Eradicating Polio: A Collective Effort for a Healthier Future” today at the Parliament House, Islamabad, marking a significant step towards addressing the ongoing challenge of polio in Pakistan.

The event was attended by a diverse group of parliamentarians, provincial legislative assembly representatives, health experts, and civil society members. MNA Dr. Nikhat Shakeel Khan, Convenor of the PCCR, opened the meet with a heartfelt welcome to all the attendees. She underscored the urgency of the situation, declaring the rise in polio cases as a national emergency. Dr. Khan stressed the importance of linking vaccinations with birth and school registrations, enhancing the safety of polio vaccination workers, and improving vaccine storage and funding. She highlighted that the meet aimed to foster collaboration between provincial and federal governments and to secure a national commitment to eradicating polio from Pakistan.

Barrister Aqeel Malik, MNA and Advisor on Law and Justice, emphasized the legislative efforts in combating polio, especially lauding the “Sindh Immunization & Epidemic Control Act, 2023.” Dr. Malik Mukhtar Ahmed Bharath, Co-ordinator to the Prime Minister on National Health Services, reflected on Pakistan’s decades-long commitment to eradicating polio. He also responded to queries from various members of parliament, including MNA Ms. Sofia Saeed Shah, MPA Ms. Sarah Ahmed, and MPA Ms. Saadia Javed, who raised important concerns about the resurgence of the virus, legislative action, and strategies for border areas.

Dr. Zainul Abedin Khan, WHO’s representative on Global Polio Eradication, gave a broader perspective on global and national polio eradication efforts. He highlighted the support of international bodies like WHO in the fight against polio. Mr. Nosherwan Khalil Khan, Focal Person for Rotary International Polio Plus, shared Rotary’s ongoing contributions, including setting up health camps and social mobilization efforts to facilitate polio eradication.

MNA Mr. Ali Muhammad Khan emphasized the critical role of local leadership in tackling the polio resurgence, noting their direct connection with the communities. Raja Faisal Mumtaz Rathore, Minister for Local Government and Rural Development of Azad Jammu & Kashmir, praised the region’s success in being polio-free, attributing it to the involvement of local political leadership and an informed citizenry.

Dr. Mohammed Soghaier, Deputy Team Lead of WHO’s Polio Eradication in Pakistan, provided an overview of the progress made since 1998, noting that low-risk perception and misconceptions remain key challenges. Dr. Israr-ul-Haq from UNICEF shared encouraging statistics, revealing a 90% acceptance rate for the polio vaccine in households across the country.

The meet concluded with a collective commitment to draft an outcome document outlining actionable steps for polio eradication. There was also a pledge to pursue further legislative interventions to ensure a polio-free future for Pakistan.

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The participants included MNAs Ms. Shahida Begum, Dr. Shozia Sobia Aslam Soomro, Syeda Shehla Raza, and Ms. Farah Naz Akbar, as well as representatives from various provincial assemblies, such as Musarrat Muhammad Ayub Wazeri from Gilgit-Baltistan, Dr. Rubaba Khan Buledi from Balochistan, and Sarah Ahmed from Punjab.

This national meet marks a crucial turning point in Pakistan’s fight against polio, with a unified approach across government, health organizations, and civil society to eliminate the disease once and for all.