Pakistan Announces 28% Stipend Increase for Polio Workers
The Pakistan Polio Eradication Initiative (PEI) has announced a 28% increase in the daily stipend for more than 400,000 frontline workers involved in polio vaccination campaigns.
The increase comes ahead of the next sub-national polio vaccination campaign, scheduled to take place from September 21 to 27 across several parts of the country.
During the upcoming campaign, vaccination teams are expected to visit more than 31 million children in 115 districts across Balochistan, Gilgit-Baltistan, Islamabad, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab and Sindh.
Support for Frontline Workers
According to the PEI, the stipend increase follows a series of nationwide listening sessions with frontline workers. The sessions allowed vaccinators and other campaign staff to discuss their experiences, challenges and recommendations directly with programme officials.
The initiative is also taking additional measures to improve working conditions and support for vaccination teams.
These measures include upgrading selected Frontline Worker Support Centres, providing identification cards to workers and developing operational safety guidelines for staff working in the field.
Prime Minister’s Focal Person for Polio Eradication Ayesha Raza Farooq said frontline workers play a key role in Pakistan’s efforts to eliminate polio.
She said the increase in the daily stipend was intended to recognise the dedication and contribution of workers who continue to reach children and communities, often while working in challenging conditions.
The government and the polio programme have also emphasized the importance of ensuring that frontline workers are treated with respect and receive appropriate support and safety measures during vaccination campaigns.
The upcoming campaign will focus on reaching children in targeted districts and strengthening Pakistan’s efforts to protect children against polio.
