LAHORE: Punjab Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) CoordinatorAdeel Tasawur shared encouraging progress in the fight against polio, announcing that only four environmental samples tested positive in November—two from Lahore and two from Rawalpindi.
He delivered the update while chairing a meeting with representatives from all districts of Punjab ahead of the upcoming National Immunisation Days (NIDs) starting Monday, (December 15).
Calling the development ‘a crucial milestone,’ the EOC Coordinator applauded the collective effort of district administrations, frontline polio workers and partner agencies.
‘In January this year, we had 14 positive samples. In October, we had 12. Today, we stand at only four positive samples. This is a big improvement and a testament to your hard work and consistency,’ he said.
‘These are early positive signs. If we sustain this momentum, the whole of Punjab can turn green. This has only been possible due to back-to-back campaigns and your dedication.
Punjab remains on top because of your commitment,’ he added.
EOC Coordinator emphasised timely completion of all trainings and submission of readiness reports to the EOC.
He urged districts to intensify focus on pre-campaign and intra-campaign indicators, strengthen supervisory tiers, and continuously build team capacity to improve campaign quality. ‘Sow your best abilities—this is the last campaign of 2025. Do not carry any gaps forward into next year,’ he advised.
The Coordinator reminded districts that environmental sample results are the ‘final report card’ of campaign performance. ‘If everything appears in order but environmental samples remain positive, it means our performance is still lacking,’ he noted.
He acknowledged that the previous campaign saw a higher percentage of still missed children, partly due to the reduction of a catch-up day.
He directed districts to maximise the use of the single catch-up day now available and ensure it contributes meaningfully to coverage improvement.
The fifth and final National Immunisation Days of 2025 will begin on December 15 across Punjab.
