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Pakistan Reports New Polio Case
Pakistan’s healthcare authorities have confirmed a new polio case in Hyderabad, Sindh, bringing the total number of infections in 2025 to 27. The case, reported by the National Institute of Health (NIH), underscores the ongoing challenges the country faces in its fight to eradicate the crippling disease.
Polio Situation in Pakistan
According to the National Emergency Operation Center (NEOC), Sindh has now reported seven polio cases this year. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa remains the hardest-hit province, accounting for 18 cases, while Punjab and Gilgit-Baltistan have each recorded one case. Despite decades of vaccination campaigns, Pakistan remains one of the last countries where polio transmission persists.
Polio is a highly contagious and incurable disease that can lead to lifelong disability. Healthcare experts stress that vaccination is the only effective defense against the virus, making widespread immunization campaigns critical to protecting children and communities.
Nationwide Polio Drive in October
The NEOC has appealed to parents across Pakistan to ensure their children receive oral polio vaccine drops during every campaign. A nationwide polio vaccination drive is scheduled from October 13 to 19, during which more than 400,000 healthcare workers will go door-to-door to vaccinate millions of children under five.
Officials are calling on parents, teachers, religious scholars, community leaders, and the media to play an active role in supporting this effort. Their involvement is vital to achieving 100% coverage and preventing further outbreaks.
Global Concerns Over Polio Eradication
The confirmation of new cases comes just after the Independent Monitoring Board (IMB) issued a stark warning regarding global polio eradication progress. In its September 22, 2025 report, “The Glass Mountain”, the IMB noted that despite 37 years of global healthcare efforts and $22 billion invested, the fight against polio is at a critical stage.
The report highlighted ongoing challenges, including persistent viral transmission, geopolitical instability, and funding gaps that threaten eradication efforts. IMB Chairman Sir Liam Donaldson, in a letter to WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, warned:
“After initial optimism in 2023, the harsh reality of the pandemic resurgence has emerged, as historical reservoirs of the virus, including Pakistan and Afghanistan, have been re-infected.”
Pakistan Strengthens Healthcare Response
Health officials in Pakistan are ramping up their efforts to eliminate polio through robust vaccination campaigns, improved surveillance, and community engagement. The upcoming October drive represents a critical opportunity to protect children and reinforce healthcare systems nationwide.
Parents and communities are urged to remain vigilant, as achieving polio eradication in Pakistan is not only a national priority but a cornerstone of global public health. Continued vaccination, education, and cooperation remain the keys to ending this preventable disease once and for all.
