Dr. Shahzad Baig, the national coordinator for the Pakistan Polio Eradication Programme, announced his resignation due to “personal reasons.”
This announcement came a few days after Islamabad appointed a government official to head the polio program.
Dr. Baig’s resignation follows severe criticism for the spread of polio in the country, with the virus confirmed in at least 153 environmental samples across 39 districts.
So far, three children have been affected by poliovirus in Pakistan.
Earlier today, government officials said that a bureaucrat will lead the National Emergency Operation Centre (NEOC) for polio. This decision comes after concerns over the resurgence of poliovirus in the last two years.
“Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has decided to replace the incumbent National Coordinator of the Emergency Operation Centre (EOC), Dr. Shahzad Baig, with a government official of BPS 21 or above. This move aims to address the resurgence of poliovirus in recent years,” an official of the National Health Services, Regulations, and Coordination (NHSR&C) told the publication.
The official also mentioned that Dr. Baig could continue as a technical advisor for the polio program at his discretion. However, administrative decisions will now be made by an official appointed by the government.
According to the official, the wild poliovirus is spreading rapidly in Pakistan. In 2023, 126 environmental samples tested positive for poliovirus in 28 districts.
The official added that a notification regarding the appointment of a new national coordinator is expected soon. Partner organizations previously supporting Dr. Baig have agreed to replace him with a government official.
“Dr. Shahzad Baig is not a Government of Pakistan employee, which led to coordination issues that derailed the polio program. Provincial coordinators and other senior government officials had complaints about him, and some even sent letters to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif against him,” the official claimed.
