Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has emphasized the urgent need to eradicate polio and hepatitis in Pakistan through sustained efforts. This call follows the country’s recent success in eliminating trachoma, a blinding eye disease. During a ceremony in Islamabad, the Prime Minister received a certificate declaring Pakistan trachoma-free. Dr. Lou Dapeng, the World Health Organization’s Head of Mission in Pakistan, presented the certificate.
The Prime Minister lauded the dedication of the Health Ministry and various stakeholders in combating trachoma. He underscored the need for ongoing commitment to elevate public health standards. He recalled his initiatives as the Chief Minister of Punjab to tackle diseases. Additionally, he expressed hope for continued progress under the leadership of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz and other provincial leaders.
Sharif acknowledged the collaborative efforts among the Health Ministry, provincial governments, NGOs, and health experts in eradicating trachoma, which has saved the sight of countless individuals. He instructed relevant authorities to implement preventive measures and establish robust monitoring systems to prevent the disease’s resurgence.
In a significant development, the World Health Organization declared that Pakistan has successfully eliminated trachoma as a public health issue, marking it as the 19th country to achieve this milestone. The success was attributed to the efforts of health professionals and organizations, including Sightsavers and the Christian Blind Mission. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus commended Pakistan’s health workers and highlighted the importance of collective action against preventable diseases.
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Reviving Polio Eradication Efforts
Pakistan faces a new challenge in its fight against polio. Two fresh cases have emerged in Karachi and Sujawal, raising the nationwide polio tally for 2024 to 26. This count includes 15 cases from Balochistan, seven from Sindh, two from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and one each from Punjab and Islamabad. Ayesha Raza Farooq, the Prime Minister’s Focal Person for Polio Eradication, stresses that “no child anywhere is safe until all children in Pakistan receive repeated vaccinations for polio.” She highlights the need for a unified vaccination strategy.
Polio, a highly infectious disease primarily affecting children under five, can lead to paralysis or death. While there is no cure, vaccination remains the most effective preventive measure. The resurgence of polio highlights the ongoing challenges faced by Pakistan, which, alongside Afghanistan, remains one of the last polio-endemic countries globally.
In response to the situation, the Pakistan Polio Programme has outlined a strategic roadmap to control the virus’s spread. The program aims to interrupt transmission by mid-2025. Recent vaccination efforts targeted 33 million children under five across 115 districts. Another campaign is scheduled to commence on October 28. As the nation celebrates the elimination of trachoma, the need to intensify polio eradication efforts has become increasingly critical. Sharif expressed optimism that polio and hepatitis could follow the same path as trachoma. He believes this can happen provided effective preventive measures and oversight are maintained. The health of Pakistan’s children remains a top priority as officials continue to fight against the threat of preventable diseases.
