It is World Immunization Week and the global health community can celebrate the fact that a large share of the world’s children no longer suffer illness and death due to vaccine preventable diseases. However, the families of Pakistan still suffer greatly; children in Pakistan are less likely to have benefitted from the cost-effective intervention of […]
Pakistan’s Polio Priorities
When Pakistan’s new government is sworn in on Wednesday it has a historic opportunity. The new administration under the leadership of Nawaz Sharif could be the government to eradicate polio from Pakistan, one of three countries where the crippling disease remains endemic. But they must overcome critical challenges to succeed. From providing security to health […]
Seth Berkley on Immunization in Pakistan
Every child, no matter where he or she is born, should have the opportunity and the right to a healthy life, and vaccines are one of the best ways to provide that. Not only do they save lives and prevent disease, enabling children to grow up and lead productive lives, but vaccines are also very […]
The ‘impatient optimist’: Bill Gates strengthens his commitment to the eradication of polio
On 29 January, Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates delivered the prestigious Richard Dimbleby lecture, and chose polio eradication as the subject of his address. Capitalising on his unique position as a leading voice in global health, Mr Gates outlined a comprehensive six-year plan to eradicate the disease, which he described as “the subject about which I […]
Health and Human Security
By expanding the scope of public health to embrace and propagate the principles of human security, Pakistan and the global community could create sustainable practices through which all people would be healthier and more secure. Human security is an evolving concept for organizing societal endeavors in the tradition of public health. It places the welfare […]
The Ethics of Security: With Respect and Gratitude to the Victims of January 1, 2013
It is a great privilege to contribute to Heartfile’s blog, particularly on a day when the only possible first words must honour the Pakistani aid workers brutally shot and killed only a few hours ago. They were leaving a community center with a primary school and medical clinic that press reports note took part in […]
Polio and Pakistan: Great Trepidations
The brutal assassination of nine grass roots level health workers in Pakistan, who were involved in a door-to-door immunization campaign in an attempt to secure children from crippling polio, adds an unprecedentedly grave dimension to the ongoing carnage in Pakistan. Pakistan’s parliament was quick in passing a unanimous resolution and there was widespread condemnation from […]
From Shock and Shame to Action in the Polio Campaign
Being an activist in Rotary International’s participation in the anti-polio campaign I was shocked by the ruthless killings of the vaccinators, particularly as we feel partially responsible for sending them out there unprotected and with a meager funding for their daily expenses during the campaign. As we are all also responsible for protecting the children […]
Polio update
Despite massive investment and high level political commitment, Pakistan still risks being the last remaining reservoir of polio virus transmission in the world. Our articles and statements in the media and in other academic journals on this issue can be read below:
