ISLAMABAD: The PakistanPolioEradication Initiative (PEI) on Wednesday announced a 28 percentincreaseinthe daily stipend for over 400,000 campaign-based frontline workers ahead of the next sub-national campaign, scheduled for Sept 21-27.
During the upcoming drive, vaccination teams will reach more than 31 million children across 115 districts in Balochistan, Gilgit-Baltistan, Islamabad, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab and Sindh.
The 28pc increase follows a series of Frontline Worker Listening Sessions held nationwide, giving vaccinators and other per-sonnel an opportunity to engage directly with PEI leadership and share their experiences, challenges and recommendations from the field.
‘The Country Programme is also taking broader steps to strengthen support for frontline workers, including measures to enhance their security, protect their dignity and wellbeing, and recognise the vital contribution they make to the country’s polio eradication efforts.
‘This includes upgrading Frontline Worker Support Centres with basic amenities in select geographies, issuing ID cards to frontline workers, and developing operational safety guidelines to help ensure their safetywhile in the field,’ a statement of PEI claimed.
‘Our frontline workers are at the heart of Pakistan’s progress towards a polio-free future. Day after day, they go above andbeyondtoreachevery child and support communities in the country, often working in challenging environments,’ said Ayesha Raza Farooq, PM’s Focal Person for Polio Eradication.
‘The 28pc increase in the daily stipend is an important step in recognising their dedication and contribution to our eradication efforts. We are committed to ensuring that every frontline worker feels safe, respected, valued and supported as they carry out this vital work,’ she added.