disaster
Pakistan closer to eliminating neonatal tetanus after WHO pre-validation for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in partnership with UNICEF
By World Health Organization at ReliefWeb
· June 22, 2026
· 1 min read
. Original article on WHO Pakistan website. Around 94% of Pakistan’s population – or approximately 250 million people – now live in areas where the spread of neonatal tetanus is under controlled limits. Peshawar/Islamabad, Pakistan– Following a comprehensive field assessment in partnership with the
Key takeaway Gilgit-Baltistan achieved elimination in July 2025, Islamabad Capital Territory and Pakistan-Administered Kashmir in March 2025, Sindh in December 2024, and Punjab in 2016.
Why this matters
The pre-validation of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province for the elimination of maternal and neonatal tetanus brings Pakistan significantly closer to achieving nationwide control of the disease. With approximately 250 million people, or 94% of the population, now living in areas where neonatal tetanus is under controlled limits, the country is making substantial progress in reducing the risk of this life-threatening disease. The partnership between the World Health Organization and UNICEF has been instrumental in this effort, with multiple provinces having already achieved elimination, including Punjab, Sindh, and Gilgit-Baltistan. The focus now shifts to Balochistan, the only remaining province working towards this goal, highlighting the need for continued support and resources to ensure the disease is eradicated nationwide. As Pakistan nears this milestone, it demonstrates the effectiveness of collaborative efforts between global health organizations and local governments in addressing critical public health issues.
About this story
Original reporting by ReliefWeb . Jesus Give surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
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Category: disaster ·
Published: June 22, 2026 ·
Source: ReliefWeb ·
Reading time: 1 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? . Original article on WHO Pakistan website. Around 94% of Pakistan’s population – or approximately 250 million people – now live in areas where the spread of neonatal tetanus is under controlled limits. Peshawar/Islamabad, Pakistan– Following a comprehensive field assessment in partnership with the
When was this published? This article was first published on June 22, 2026 by ReliefWeb and curated for Jesus Give readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by World Health Organization at ReliefWeb. To learn more about how Jesus Give selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
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