Polio oversight board chief praises Pakistan’s health sector progress

ISLAMABAD: Chairman of the Polio Oversight Board Dr Chris Elias has commended recent progress in Pakistan’s health sector during a meeting with Federal Minister for National Health Services, Regulation and Coordination Syed Mustafa Kamal in Geneva, according to a report.

The meeting focused on Pakistan’s ongoing efforts in the health sector, particularly work linked to polio eradication. During the discussion, Dr Elias appreciated the advances made in the country and conveyed support for the continuation of those efforts.

He also assured Pakistan of continued backing for vaccine availability and for the country’s campaign to eliminate polio. The assurance came as Pakistan continues to pursue its eradication drive through vaccination efforts and coordination with international partners.

Support for eradication efforts

Dr Elias is also expected to visit Pakistan in July this year. His expected visit comes amid continued engagement between Pakistani authorities and international stakeholders involved in the anti-polio programme.

He reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to fully eradicating polio and expressed confidence that coordinated vaccination campaigns and improvements in campaign quality would help the country achieve that objective.

The meeting in Geneva highlighted the importance of sustained cooperation on public health priorities, including ensuring vaccine access and maintaining momentum in the anti-polio drive. Pakistan remains one of the countries where polio eradication efforts continue to receive close international attention, and the latest engagement reflected support for the country’s ongoing campaign.

Federal Minister Syed Mustafa Kamal represented Pakistan at the meeting, which centred on health-sector progress and the next steps in the push against polio. The discussion also underscored the role of coordinated vaccination campaigns in advancing eradication goals.

Dr Elias’s remarks, as reported, pointed to optimism over Pakistan’s direction in the health sector and the anti-polio programme in particular. His assurance of continued support for vaccine availability and eradication efforts signals the importance of sustained international cooperation as Pakistan works toward becoming polio-free.

The expected July visit by the Polio Oversight Board chairman is likely to provide another opportunity for engagement with Pakistani authorities on the country’s vaccination efforts and broader public health priorities linked to polio eradication.