The Pakistan Polio Eradication Programme has announced a 28% increase in the daily allowance for frontline polio workers. According to the National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC), the revised daily allowance will come into effect from the next nationwide polio vaccination campaign. The NEOC said a series of listening sessions were held with frontline polio workers over the past several months. During these sessions, workers had the opportunity to directly share their views, suggestions and concerns with senior leadership.

Following the listening sessions, the decision was taken to increase the workers’ daily allowance by 28%, the NEOC said. Polio Eradication Programme focal person Ayesha Raza Farooq said the increase was a recognition of the hard work, dedication and services of polio workers. She said frontline workers were playing an important role in the country’s efforts to make Pakistan polio-free. The next nationwide polio vaccination campaign will be conducted from September 21 to 27 in 115 districts across the country, Ayesha Raza said.

Earlier, Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif reaffirmed his government’s determination to completely eradicate polio from Pakistan. Talking to President Global Development Gates Foundation Dr. Chris Elias in Islamabad, PM Shehbaz Sharif said the government is implementing a comprehensive strategy and taking practical actions with an effective team. The prime minister expressed deep gratitude for the collaboration of Bill Gates and Saudi Arabia in the fight against polio. He said despite significant progress in the fight against polio, emergency measures are still necessary.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)