Islamabad, August 10, 2024 – The National Emergency Operations Center (NEOC) for Polio Eradication convened a pivotal meeting of the National Polio Management Team to assess ongoing polio eradication efforts and deliberate on the National Emergency Action Plan (NEAP) for Polio Eradication 2024-2025.

The high-level session, chaired by Ayesha Raza Farooq, the Prime Minister’s Focal Person on Polio Eradication, brought together key stakeholders including National and Provincial Coordinators, the Core Team, Dr. Zafar Iqbal Channa, Director Technical of FDI, Trustee Rotary Foundation and Pakistan National Polio Plus Committee Chairman Aziz Memon, and representatives from various donor agencies.

The agenda includes a national overview of current priorities, program vision, and the strategic plan for Supplemental Immunization Activities (SIAs) for the rest of 2024. The discussions will integrate recommendations from the National Task Force (NTF), Technical Advisory Group (TAG), and Independent Monitoring Board (IMB).

In her address, Ayesha Raza Farooq, Prime Minister’s Focal Person on Polio Eradication, remarked," This National Polio Management Team meeting is a pivotal moment for us to critically assess our strategies and refine our approach. By learning from our experiences and aligning our efforts, we can achieve our goal of eliminating polio by mid-June 2025."

"At this crucial juncture, the unwavering commitment of the government, from the Honorable Prime Minister to provincial Chief Ministers, and key agencies, is at an all-time high. As we moved towards the forthcoming stock-take meeting chaired by the Prime Minister, it is indeed up to us now, how best we can benefit from the current momentum. Together, as ‘One Team,’ I am confident we will meet our commitments to both our nation and the global community," she added further.

Captain (R) Anwar Ul Haq, National EOC Coordinator, emphasized the importance of united efforts: "This National Polio Management Team meeting underscores our shared commitment and strategic approach to eradicating polio. The collaborative efforts of the National and Provincial teams are pivotal to achieving our final goal."

Additionally, the Director Technical of Federal Directorate of Immunization (FDI), Dr. Zafar Iqbal Channa, provided an update on the Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI), emphasizing the synergy achieved in 2023-24 and presenting the plan for 2024-25.

At the concluding session, the stakeholders reaffirmed their commitment to intensify immunization efforts and ensure that no child is left unvaccinated, reinforcing their collective resolve to make Pakistan a polio-free nation.

Note for the Editor:

Polio is a highly infectious disease caused by poliovirus mainly affecting children under the age of five years. It invades the nervous system and can cause paralysis or even death. While there is no cure for polio, vaccination is the most effective way to protect children from this disease. Each time a child under the age of five is vaccinated, their protection against the virus is increased. Repeated immunisations have protected millions of children from polio, allowing almost all countries in the world to become polio-free, besides the two endemic countries of Pakistan and Afghanistan.

For further information, please contact: Ms. Hania Naeem, Communications Officer, NEOC,

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