ISLAMABAD: Pakistan paid tribute to more than 400,000 polio frontline workers for their dedication and tireless efforts to protect children from the crippling disease during a World Polio Day 2026 ceremony held at the Pakistan National Council of the Arts (PNCA), Islamabad, on Friday.
Organised by the Pakistan Polio Eradication Initiative (PEI) under the theme “Shukriya Polio Frontline Workers,” the event recognised the contributions of health workers who continue to reach children in communities across the country despite numerous operational and security challenges.
More than 100 frontline workers from different parts of Pakistan participated in the ceremony and shared their experiences of protecting children against poliovirus. Women account for more than 60 per cent of Pakistan’s polio frontline workforce, highlighting their critical role in reaching households and building community trust.
According to the Pakistan Polio Eradication Initiative, sustained government commitment, international support and the dedication of frontline workers have contributed to a 99.8 per cent reduction in polio cases, from an estimated 20,000 cases in the early 1990s to 31 in 2025 and seven cases reported so far in 2026.
Minister of State for National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination Dr Malik Mukhtar Ahmad Bharath attended the ceremony as chief guest. Prime Minister’s Focal Person for Polio Eradication Ayesha Raza Farooq, National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) Coordinator Anwaar-ul-Haq, senior officials of the polio programme, development partners, donors and representatives of various organisations were also present.
Addressing the gathering, Dr Malik Mukhtar Ahmad Bharath reaffirmed the federal government's commitment to ensuring the dignity, safety and security of frontline polio workers.
He said frontline workers visiting households across Pakistan to protect children from a preventable disease were among the most dedicated champions of the country's polio eradication efforts.
The minister emphasised that ensuring their safety, security and dignity was a fundamental responsibility of the government and a shared commitment of all stakeholders.
He stressed the need to provide frontline workers with the recognition, respect and protection they deserved while strengthening public trust and community support for their mission.
“Protecting those who protect our children is essential to sustaining eradication efforts and achieving a polio-free Pakistan,” Dr Bharath said.
Speaking on the occasion, Prime Minister’s Focal Person for Polio Eradication Ayesha Raza Farooq paid tribute to the courage, commitment and sacrifices of frontline workers and acknowledged the continued support of international development partners and donors.
She said Pakistan’s more than 400,000 polio frontline workers remained at the heart of the national campaign to protect every child against poliovirus.
Ayesha Raza Farooq noted that although Pakistan had made significant progress towards eliminating polio, the mission would remain incomplete until every child was protected.
She called for renewed determination to identify and vaccinate every missed child, particularly in communities where access, vaccine hesitancy and other challenges continued to affect immunisation coverage.
The ceremony also featured a moderated discussion in which frontline workers shared their experiences, achievements and challenges while carrying out vaccination activities in different parts of the country.
A special video tribute highlighted their dedication and contributions to children's health, while selected frontline workers were presented with certificates and gifts in recognition of their services.
Speakers emphasised that honouring frontline workers required more than ceremonial recognition and called for sustained institutional support, adequate protection, community cooperation and greater public appreciation for their efforts.
Meanwhile, Pakistan is preparing to launch its third Sub-National Polio Vaccination Campaign of 2026 from November 2 to 8 across 97 districts, targeting more than 23.9 million children under five years of age.
Health authorities stressed that continued cooperation from parents, communities, religious leaders and other stakeholders would be essential to ensuring that vaccination teams could reach every eligible child.
The World Polio Day ceremony concluded with a renewed commitment to support frontline workers, strengthen public confidence in vaccination and sustain collective efforts towards achieving a polio-free Pakistan.
