New polio case confirmed in Hyderabad

(Web Desk): The National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) has confirmed a new polio case from Hyderabad district in Sindh, bringing the total number of polio cases in Pakistan to 27 in 2025.

According to NEOC, seven cases have been reported in Sindh alone this year. Polio is an incurable disease that causes lifelong disability.

NEOC has urged parents to ensure their children receive polio drops during every campaign, emphasizing the importance of consistent immunization. The next nationwide polio campaign is scheduled from October 13 to 19, during which over 400,000 polio workers will go door-to-door across the country to vaccinate children against the virus.

NEOC further stated that the support of parents, communities, teachers, religious scholars, and media is vital for the success of the campaign.

It is worth noting that, according to a report published by Dawn on September 22, 2025, the Independent Monitoring Board (IMB) has issued a warning that efforts to eradicate polio in Pakistan are faltering.

The IMB report highlights that, despite 37 years of effort and $22 billion spent, the world is now at a point where traditional strategies are no longer proving effective.

The report stresses that the final stages of polio eradication cannot be achieved through old methods, and that new strategies, clear national accountability, and strong leadership are essential to reach success.

IMB Chairman Sir Liam Donaldson, in a letter to WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, noted that the report—titled “The Glass Mountain”—comes at a critical juncture.

Donaldson wrote that a combination of continued viral transmission, extraordinary geopolitical turmoil, and severe financial constraints has created a scenario that fundamentally threatens the survival and success of the polio eradication program.

He added that after early optimism in 2023, the harsh reality of resurgence has set in, as historical virus reservoirs like Pakistan and Afghanistan have once again shown increased transmission.

The IMB, which monitors polio efforts on behalf of global donor agencies, concluded that success can only be achieved through fresh thinking, institutional courage, realistic planning, and unambiguous national responsibility.