WHO Confirms Elimination of Tetanus in Mothers and Newborns in Islamabad and Azad Kashmir
The World Health Organization (WHO) has confirmed that neonatal tetanus (MNT) has been eliminated in Islamabad and Azad Kashmir. This achievement was made possible after a week-long review conducted at the request of the Pakistani federal government, in collaboration with UNICEF, which found no trace of the disease in both regions.
This success is largely attributed to the extensive vaccination efforts against tetanus, with over 5.4 million pregnant women and mothers in Pakistan receiving the vaccine last year. WHO Representative in Pakistan, Dr. Daping Luo, praised the collective efforts of the authorities, citizens, and healthcare workers, emphasizing that this achievement is a result of their unwavering commitment to saving lives and protecting every mother and newborn from preventable diseases.
Dr. Luo stressed that ensuring the health of mothers and children is essential for achieving prosperity and sustainable development. He assured that the WHO will continue to work alongside the government of Pakistan and its partners to eradicate this disease nationwide.
**Effective Strategy Against Tetanus**
With the combined efforts of WHO and UNICEF, the spread of neonatal tetanus in Pakistan has significantly decreased. Currently, about 80% of the country’s population (190 million people) lives in areas with low prevalence of the disease, with only one case of tetanus for every 1,000 newborns.
In December 2024, the Sindh province also reached the milestone of eliminating neonatal tetanus, while Punjab had already achieved this goal in 2016. Despite this progress, Pakistan still remains among the 10 countries where the disease is present. Last year, 322 cases of neonatal tetanus were reported, with 6 deaths recorded. However, experts believe the actual number of affected individuals could be higher, as only 30% of the cases are reported to health authorities.
**UNICEF’s Role and Continued Support**
UNICEF Representative in Pakistan, Abdullah Fazil, called this an important step for maternal and child health in the country. He emphasized that no mother or child should lose their life to this preventable disease. UNICEF will continue to assist the Pakistani government with vaccination campaigns and efforts to ensure safe childbirth, with the ultimate goal of completely eliminating neonatal tetanus in the country.
**Trained Medical Staff and Safe Maternity**
Dr. Shabana Saleem, Head of the Vaccination Department at the Ministry of National Health Services, noted that with this achievement, Pakistan is now closer to its goal of eradicating this deadly disease by 2028. She highlighted that this milestone reflects not only the success of the vaccination strategy but also the dedication of medical workers at the grassroots level.
She further stated that the elimination of tetanus in these regions is a result of the effective collaboration between UNICEF, WHO, and the national and provincial governments’ strategies.
