Dr. Shahzad Baig, the national coordinator of the Pakistan Polio Eradication Programme, has received a notable honor by being included in Time magazine’s list of 100 world leaders in the field of health. This recognition brings significant pride to the healthcare community in Pakistan and highlights Dr. Baig’s influential role in combating polio.
Featured in the ‘TIME100 HEALTH’ as one of the most influential figures in the health sector, Dr. Baig’s inclusion underscores his leadership and tireless efforts to eradicate polio in Pakistan, elevating the country’s status on the global stage.
Before leading anti-polio efforts in Pakistan, Dr. Baig served as a technical adviser for Nigeria’s polio eradication initiative, contributing to the nation’s successful declaration as polio-free in 2020. Time magazine anticipates Pakistan to follow suit under his leadership, aiming to achieve polio-free status soon.
Jeffrey Kluger, editor at large at Time magazine, authored Dr. Baig’s profile, highlighting his remarkable achievements. Kluger praised Dr. Baig for his significant impact, noting a drastic reduction in polio cases since he assumed leadership in Pakistan.
Despite challenges such as attacks on polio workers by extremists, Dr. Baig has remained steadfast in his commitment to eradicate polio. Under his leadership, Pakistan has deployed a large workforce of vaccinators and security personnel to inoculate millions of children, with ongoing efforts to expand vaccination coverage.
The inclusion of Dr. Shahzad Baig in Time magazine’s esteemed list reflects his unwavering dedication to the mission of polio eradication in Pakistan, as acknowledged by the Pakistan Polio Eradication Programme on its Instagram profile.
