‘Pakistan needs integrated approach to eradicate polio’

Islamabad:The 40 Super High-Risk Polio Endemic Union Councils in Pakistan require renewed and urgent focus vis-a-vis strengthening of the compromised health system and improvements in service delivery.

The Special Adviser to the PM on Health Dr. Zafar Mirza made this observation at the inaugural session of a consultative workshop arranged to review the polio situation in the Super High-Risk Union Councils and plan for an integrated package of services. Of the 40 Super High-Risk Union Councils, eight are located in Karachi, 18 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and 14 in Balochistan.

The workshop was organised by the Ministry of National Health Services, in partnership with the Disease Control Priorities (DCP3) Secretariat, the Bill and Malinda Gates Foundation, UNICEF, the World Bank, and the World Health Organisation (WHO).

“Polio has been a major concern for Pakistan and more recently, the government has shown strong resolve to address the issue,” Dr. Zafar stated, while emphasizing the need for an integrated approach to ensure better availability of services to people while tackling the epidemic. He mentioned, “The development of Universal Health Coverage Benefit Package of Pakistan provides an excellent opportunity to strengthen and improve services at these Union Councils. It is important that today all the relevant stakeholders ascertain the interventions that need to be included for the DCP3 Polio Sub-Package. He urged all stakeholders and political parties to work in a collaborative way to end polio from Pakistan.

Representative of the DCP3 Secretariat Professor Ala Alwan said, “The aim of the DCP3 Programme is to use updated evidence in developing a comprehensive package of essential services to improve access to health care to all citizens without exposing them to financial hardship. Pakistan is the first country collaborating with DCP3 as part of the national strategy to achieve Universal Health Coverage.” He mentioned that the development of UHC Benefit Package of Pakistan offers an innovative approach, not only to ensure better health outcomes but also in control of epidemics including polio.

Representatives from UNICEF, WHO, World Bank and Bill and Malinda Gates Foundation expressed support to the Ministry of National Health Services, not only in introducing an integrated approach for service delivery in Pakistan but also in eradicating polio from the country.