Islamabad, In a significant push to eradicate polio, Dr. Malik Mukhtar Ahmed Bharath, Coordinator to the Prime Minister on National Health Services, along with Federal Health Secretary Mr. Nadeem Mahboob, visited the National Emergency Operations Center for Polio Eradication (NEOC) on Wednesday. Their visit underscored the government’s heightened commitment to eliminating the disease, which continues to pose a threat to children in Pakistan despite being eradicated in most parts of the world.
According to Press Information Department, the senior officials met with the leadership of the Pakistan Polio Programme and toured the NEOC Polio Control Room. During their visit, they engaged with the NEOC team and the leadership of provincial Emergency Operations Centers (EOCs), discussing ongoing efforts and strategies to combat polio across the country.
Dr. Bharath emphasized that polio eradication remains a top priority for the Prime Minister and assured continuous government support to address any challenges in the eradication efforts. He expressed a personal commitment to the cause, highlighting the visit to NEOC as one of his initial acts in his new role. “Polio eradication isn’t just another item on my agenda, it is a deeply personal mission for me,” Dr. Bharath stated, underscoring his dedication to ensuring that no child in Pakistan faces the threat of the disability-causing poliovirus.
Federal Health Secretary Mr. Mahboob acknowledged the progress made by the Polio Programme but noted that significant efforts are still required to achieve complete eradication in Pakistan. Dr. Shahzad Baig, NEOC Coordinator, provided an update on the current polio situation and ongoing efforts at both national and provincial levels. He detailed the Programme’s ambitious goals for the year, which include interrupting transmission of the local YB3C poliovirus genetic cluster and closing all outbreaks of the imported YB3A virus.
Dr. Baig also highlighted the intensive vaccination schedule implemented since last year, aimed at boosting children’s immunity against polio. Provincial Coordinators shared updates on progress and challenges in their regions, contributing to a comprehensive review of the nationwide eradication strategy.
The NEOC leadership expressed gratitude for the visit and the continued support from the highest levels of government, reaffirming their commitment to ending polio in Pakistan.