Health

Cop guarding polio vaccination team martyred in Hangu attack

Peshawar: A policeman deployed to protect an anti-polio team was martyred and four others were injured when unidentified assailants opened fire on them in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Hangu on Monday.

Hangu SDPO Mujahid Hussain said that the attack targeted a police van carrying a team of five personnel assigned to provide security to a polio vaccination team in the Chapri Waziran area. All of the policemen sustained bullet wounds in the shooting, but one of them later succumbed to his injuries, he revealed.

The remaining injured personnel were shifted to a medical facility, the SDPO added.

The Pakistan Polio Programme officially commenced its second National Immunisation Days (NIDs) campaign of 2026 today, to make Pakistan a polio-free nation.

The five-day countrywide campaign aims to immunise over 45 million children under five years of age. This effort is seen as a decisive step in the country’s final push to stop poliovirus transmission and achieve eradication by the end of 2025.

NEOC confirmed the first wild polio case of 2026 in a four-year-old child from Bello Union Council, Sujawal district, Sindh, last month.

The case was reported through the polio surveillance network and confirmed by the Regional Reference Laboratory for Polio Eradication at the National Institute of Health (NIH), Islamabad.

In Pakistan and neighbouring Afghanistan — the only countries where polio remains endemic — militants have for decades targeted vaccination teams and their security escorts.

Over the past decade, hundreds of police officers and health workers have been killed by militants.

Polio, a highly infectious virus mainly affecting children under five, can result in lifelong paralysis but is easily prevented by the oral administration of a few drops of a vaccine.

The Polio Eradication Initiative (PEI) is already analysing the best response to tackle and prevent further transmission.

Despite challenges, eradicating the global public threat of polio in Pakistan and worldwide is within reach, and the PEI continues to intensify its efforts to leave no child behind. Since 1994, thanks to polio vaccines, Pakistan has reduced polio cases by 99.8% – from 20,000 estimated cases in the early 1990s to 31 in 2025.

In 2025, Pakistan’s PEI carried out five nationwide campaigns, in addition to targeted rounds of oral and injectable polio vaccination and integrated activities with the national routine immunisation programme.

While the overall trend shows a decline in poliovirus detections compared to 2024, reflecting the impact of high-quality vaccination campaigns conducted in 2025, virus circulation persists in certain high-risk areas, including districts of Sindh and southern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP).

These detections underscore the continued need for robust, targeted efforts to interrupt transmission and consistent vaccination for children.

Polio is a highly contagious and incurable disease that can cause lifelong paralysis and death. However, the disease can be prevented thanks to polio vaccines, which are safe and effective and have been safely used in 195 countries, including all Muslim countries.

Polio eradication is a collective responsibility. While Pakistan’s dedicated frontline workers ensure that vaccines reach every child, parents and caregivers play a crucial role by making sure their children receive all recommended doses, including routine immunisations.

The PEI urges all parents and caregivers to ensure that their children are vaccinated during every campaign to protect them from lifelong disability and/or death.

Communities, religious leaders, and the media also play a vital role in promoting vaccination, countering misinformation, and ensuring that every child in Pakistan is protected. Together, we can achieve a polio-free future for every child, in Pakistan and worldwide.

Health

Punjab Launches Disease Prevention Program to Combat Major Illnesses

Lahore: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has approved the launch of a province-wide “Disease Prevention Program” aimed at controlling the spread of major life-threatening illnesses.

The initiative will focus on preventing diseases such as diabetes, tuberculosis (TB), HIV/AIDS and hepatitis, alongside a large-scale public awareness campaign to educate citizens about prevention and treatment.

The decision was taken during a high-level meeting chaired by the chief minister, where officials briefed her on the program’s objectives and implementation strategy.

Maryam Nawaz directed authorities to strictly enforce health standard operating procedures (SOPs) in public hospitals to prevent outbreaks and improve patient safety.

She also instructed the Punjab Healthcare Commission to ensure compliance with SOPs in private hospitals and clinics.

In addition, the chief minister ordered strict legal action against quack doctors operating across the province, stressing the need to eliminate unsafe medical practices.

She highlighted the importance of public awareness, noting that early detection of symptoms can play a key role in preventing serious complications and saving lives.

Officials said the program aims to strengthen preventive healthcare, reduce disease burden, and promote healthier communities across Punjab.

Health

Drug Testing Lab Bans Multiple Medicine Batches

Islamabad: The Drug Testing Laboratory has declared several batches of medicines unsafe and banned their use after they failed quality tests.

According to officials, multiple tablets, syrups, and injections were found to be substandard during testing.

These include medicines used for heart conditions, pain relief, allergies, cough, and other common treatments.

Among the drugs declared unsafe are Nitros tablets used for heart muscle treatment, Cadin painkillers, Loratadine for allergies, and Esfel cough syrup. Oratizen tablets were also found to be harmful.

Additionally, Deca Durabolin injections, commonly used for bone weakness and anaemia, have been declared unfit for use.

Other affected medicines include Cara Doba injections for blood pressure control, Efasef antibiotic injections, Meteor injections, and Mecobal injections used for vitamin B12 deficiency.

Authorities also flagged Ceforsic antibiotic injections, Sodophenac pain relief injections, and Hecobal injections as unsafe.

Health officials have directed pharmacies and healthcare providers to immediately stop the sale and use of these specific batches to prevent potential health risks.

Citizens have been advised to consult qualified medical professionals before using any medication and report any adverse effects to the relevant authorities.

Health

Balochistan Considers Tax Relief on Menstrual Health Products

Quetta: Balochistan Education Minister Raheela Durrani has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to improving the health and dignity of women and girls through legislative reforms.

Chairing a consultative meeting, the minister discussed a proposed joint resolution to reduce or abolish taxes on menstrual health and hygiene (MHH) products across the province.

The MHM Working Group organized the session in collaboration with UNICEF Pakistan.

Officials and development partners participated in the meeting, focusing on easing financial barriers that limit access to essential health products.

Former health minister Rehmat Saleh Baloch stressed the need for cross-party consensus to ensure affordable healthcare necessities for women.

MHM Working Group chairperson Dr Tahira Kamal Umrani highlighted that reducing taxes on hygiene products is a key public health priority, particularly for marginalized communities.

Meanwhile, Abdullah Khan expressed readiness to review the proposal from an administrative perspective.

The proposed resolution seeks either a 50% reduction or a complete exemption from provincial taxes on essential hygiene products, aiming to make them accessible to vulnerable groups.

Lawmakers agreed to expedite the drafting process and present the resolution in the Balochistan Assembly.

The initiative is expected to set a strong precedent for women-focused policy reforms and improve access to basic health necessities across the province.