Islamabad: Pakistan is ranked among the top five countries worldwide for absolute reduction in child deaths, thanks to vaccination.
According to Radio Pakistan, in a statement issued in Islamabad today, the World Health Organization said Pakistan has averted 2.6 million child deaths from preventable diseases. The country has also eradicated smallpox, reduced paralytic polio cases by 99.8 percent, and ensured neonatal tetanus-free areas for 80 percent of the population.
Since 1994, with the aid of vaccines, Pakistan has managed to nearly eliminate paralytic polio cases, achieving a 99.8 percent reduction by 2025. The nation's collaboration with WHO has led to the protection of 160 million children and 130 million mothers with life-saving vaccines over the past five decades.
The WHO statement further highlighted Pakistan's achievement in obtaining certification for the elimination of maternal and neonatal tetanus in regions including Punjab, Sindh, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Islamabad Capital Territory, and Gilgit-Baltistan. This certification ensures that 80 percent of the population lives in areas where neonatal tetanus no longer poses a public health threat, with fewer than one case per 1,000 live births.
This milestone is the result of collaborative efforts by governments, partners, frontline health workers, communities, and parents across Pakistan. Meanwhile, WHO Representative in Pakistan, Dr. Luo Dapeng, expressed pride in supporting Pakistan. He emphasized WHO's commitment to assist over 15,000 routine vaccinators and more than 400,000 polio vaccinators to safeguard every child and mother, regardless of their social or economic status or geographical location.
