Dr. Shahzad Baig, the national coordinator for the Pakistan Polio Eradication Programme, has been recognized by Time magazine as one of the top 100 global health leaders. This is a prestigious accolade for both him and Pakistan’s healthcare community.
Named in the ‘TIME100 HEALTH’ list, Dr. Baig’s pivotal role in combating polio in Pakistan has garnered significant international acclaim. His efforts are celebrated as a crucial contribution on a global scale.
Before his current role, he successfully guided Nigeria’s polio eradication efforts, culminating in the country being declared polio-free in 2020. Time predicts Pakistan will soon join Nigeria as a polio-free nation under his guidance.
Jeffrey Kluger, Time’s editor, authored Dr. Baig’s profile, highlighting his impactful career in health, science, and environmental journalism.
Kluger notes that polio cases in Pakistan dropped dramatically from 147 in 2019 to just six in 2023 after Dr. Baig took charge in 2021. The aim is to eliminate polio by 2026.
Kluger also details Dr. Baig’s leadership amidst challenges, including attacks on polio workers and misinformation campaigns against vaccination.
“Under his direction, the initiative has mobilized 400,000 vaccinators and 80,000 security staff to immunize over 90 million children this year, with plans for an additional 24 million in an upcoming spring campaign,” Kluger added.
The Pakistan Polio Eradication Programme proudly shared on Instagram, “His inclusion in this esteemed list is a testament to his dedication to eradicating polio from Pakistan!”
