Shahzad Rasheed
Peshawar, The Provincial Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa welcomed Dr. Jamal Ahmed, WHO Director for Polio Eradication and Chair of the GPEI Strategy Committee, during his visit to the province. He was accompanied by Dr. Fazal Athar, Program Director for Endemic Countries, WHO/EMRO, and Dr. Soghair, WHO Team Lead at the National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC).
The meeting was attended by the TFP PEI KP, WHO KP, UNICEF KP, NSTOP KP Team Leads, and thematic leads, reflecting the strong coordination among the provincial polio programme and its development partners.
Mr. Shafi Ullah Khan, Additional Secretary Health and Coordinator EOC KP, briefed the visiting leadership on the current status and progress of the Polio Eradication Initiative (PEI) in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The briefing covered campaign performance, special interventions, surveillance activities, PEI–EPI integration, operational priorities, and ongoing efforts to address challenges in high-risk areas, particularly South Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The participants held detailed discussions on key programmatic priorities, operational challenges, and measures to further improve campaign quality and strengthen surveillance and response mechanisms. Particular emphasis was placed on reaching missed children, sustaining high-quality vaccination activities, and ensuring that every eligible child is protected against poliovirus.
The visiting WHO leadership appreciated the dedication and sustained efforts of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa polio programme, partner organizations, and frontline workers. They underscored the importance of maintaining momentum, strengthening coordination, and building upon the progress achieved towards a polio-free Pakistan.
The EOC KP and its partners reaffirmed their collective commitment to protecting every child through high-quality vaccination and surveillance, with a shared goal of ending polio transmission and achieving a polio-free Pakistan.
