LAHORE: The Punjab Health Department has appointed Khalid Parvaiz as the new Coordinator of the Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) for Polio Eradication, bringing extensive experience in health administration and public-sector management to the province’s efforts to sustain progress against polio.
Parvaiz has joined the Punjab Health Department as Special Secretary Health and will also provide leadership to the Punjab Emergency Operations Centre for Polio Eradication.
An officer of Pakistan Administrative Service with experience across different tiers of government, Parvaiz previously served in the health department in Punjab before moving to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), where he continued to work in the health sector. His return to Punjab brings familiarity with the province’s health system and field realities, along with experience of working within the health administration of another province.
His appointment comes at an important juncture for Punjab’s polio programme, which has made significant progress in reducing the circulation of poliovirus. The province has reported no polio cases in 2026 so far, while environmental surveillance has also shown a sharp decline in poliovirus detection.
As EOC Coordinator, Parvaiz will oversee and strengthen coordination among the Health Department, district administrations, development partners and other stakeholders to maintain the momentum against polio. His role will focus on ensuring high-quality vaccination campaigns, strengthening surveillance, reaching missed and mobile children, and addressing operational and communication challenges that could allow the virus to re-emerge.
“Punjab has made important progress in its fight against polio, but this is not the time for complacency. The goal now is to consolidate these gains and ensure that every child is protected,” said Khalid Parvaiz, Special Secretary Health and EOC Coordinator.
He emphasized the importance of strong coordination between provincial and district authorities, frontline health workers and partners to ensure that every vaccination opportunity is utilized and no child is left unprotected.
The Punjab EOC will continue to work closely with district administrations and partners to identify and address pockets of missed children, strengthen vaccination at transit points and improve protection of children from mobile and underserved populations.
The programme will also maintain a strong focus on community engagement and risk communication, particularly in areas where misinformation, population movement and other factors may affect vaccination uptake.
With Punjab now at a critical stage in its journey towards interruption of poliovirus transmission, the new EOC leadership will prioritize sustained vigilance, stronger accountability and evidence-based action to ensure that the gains achieved so far are protected and taken towards a polio-free Punjab.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
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