ISLAMABAD: Sewage samples collected from 14 districts have tested positive for the poliovirus, indicating the presence of the virus in these areas.

According to an official of the Regional Reference Laboratory for Polio Eradication at the National Institute of Health (NIH), samples were collectedfrom43districtsacrossPakistan.

The lab official confirmed the detection of wild poliovirus type 1 (WPV1) in sewage samples of Gwadar, Kech, Khuzdar, Qila Saifullah, Nasirabad, Quetta, Usta Muhammad, Lahore, Sargodha, Karachi East, Karachi South, Abbottabad, Bannu and Tank.

Meanwhile, samples from Muzaffarabad, Gilgit, Diamer, Islamabad, Dukki, Mastung, Barkhan, Hub, Lahore, Gujrat, Bahawalpur, Rawalpindi, Sahiwal, Okara, Mianwali, Attock, Jhang, Bahawalnagar, Khanewal, D.I. Khan, Mansehra, Peshawar, Swat, Nowshera, Battagram, Dir Lower, Charsadda, Mardan and North Waziristan tested nega-tive for poliovirus.

The Pakistan Polio Eradication Programme held an event on International Women`s Day 2025 to recognise the role of female health workers in polio eradication initiatives across the country.

The event, held at the National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) in Islamabad, acknowledged the dedication of more than 58.4pc female polio workers who worl< in some of the most challenging environments.

The event was attended by national and provincial coordinators and senior officials.

Women health worl(ers shared their perspectives from across the country through video messages.

The polio programme leadership reaffirmed the commitment to improving the working conditions and protection of women in the field.

The prime minister`s focal person on polio, Ayesha Raza Farooq, emphasised the government`s commitment to creating a safe and empowering environment for female frontline workers.

`Today, as we commemorateInternational Women`s Day, I want to reaffirm our collective commitment to ensuring a safe, dignified, and enabling environment for every female frontline worker.

She said the polio programme has developed a comprehensive AntiHarassment Policy, aligned with the Protection against Harassment of Women at the Workplace Act, to safeguard the well-being and professional growth of women workers.

`Every worker has the right to a respectful worl(place, free from harassment,` she stated.

While addressing the event, Anwarul Haq, the national coordinator of NEOC, paid tribute to the resilience and dedication of female frontline workers.

`This year`s theme resonates deeply with us at the National Emergency Operations Centre as we honour female polio workers who are considered as the backbone of Pakistan`ss polio eradication efforts.` He added that women health workers work tirelessly, often in difficult and high-rislc areas, to ensure every child receives the lifesaving polio vaccine.