ISLAMABAD — Stepping up the global mission to eliminate poliovirus, the Regional Director for UNICEF Asia and the Pacific, Sanjay Wijesekera, concluded a pivotal week-long visit to Pakistan. The high-level mission focused on reinforcing the country’s health infrastructure and ensuring integrated welfare services for vulnerable children.

As a key member of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) Oversight Board delegation, Wijesekera met with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and senior national partners. The discussions centered on evaluating current progress, tightening oversight, and maximizing strategic efforts over the critical coming months to achieve a polio-free Pakistan.

Key Highlights of the UNICEF Mission:

• High-Level Commitment: Meetings with federal leadership reaffirmed Pakistan’s absolute political commitment to interrupting poliovirus transmission, particularly focusing on remaining hotspots and high-risk border regions.
• On-the-Ground in Sindh: Wijesekera traveled to Sindh to meet frontline health workers and observe integrated community services in action. He assessed local operations providing essential immunizations, maternal and child healthcare, nutrition support, and safe drinking water.
• Strengthening Routine Immunization: The delegation emphasized merging the infrastructure of the Polio Eradication Initiative with the Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) to ensure children are protected from all vaccine-preventable diseases simultaneously.

An Integrated Approach to Child Welfare

During his field visits, Wijesekera highlighted that the fight against polio is most effective when combined with broader primary healthcare and social services, including birth registration and clean water initiatives.

“UNICEF remains fully committed to working alongside the Government of Pakistan and our global partners to reach every single child with the essential services they need from the very start of life,” officials noted, reflecting on the mission’s goals.

Lauding the heroic dedication of frontline polio workers—many of whom are women—the GPEI delegation reiterated that global support remains unwavering as Pakistan enters the final, critical miles toward total eradication.