Islamabad: A high-level delegation of the polio eradication programme reviewed progress, campaign performance and operational priorities during a visit to the Provincial Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The delegation included Dr Jamal Ahmed, WHO Director for Polio Eradication and Chair of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) Strategy Committee, Dr Fazal Athar, Programme Director for Endemic Countries, WHO/EMRO, and Dr Soghair, WHO Team Lead NEOC.
The meeting was attended by TFP PEI KP, WHO KP, UNICEF KP, NSTOP KP team leads and thematic leads. Additional Secretary Health and Coordinator EOC KP Shafi Ullah Khan briefed the visiting officials on the province’s polio eradication efforts.
The briefing covered campaign performance, special interventions, surveillance, integration of the Polio Eradication Initiative with the Expanded Programme on Immunization (PEI-EPI), operational priorities and ongoing activities in high-risk areas, particularly southern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Participants discussed key programme priorities, operational challenges and measures to improve campaign quality, strengthen surveillance and ensure that every eligible child is reached with polio vaccination.
The visiting officials appreciated the efforts of the provincial polio team, partner organizations and frontline workers and emphasized sustained action to build on progress towards a polio-free Pakistan.