ISLAMABAD: US news magazine TIME has included Dr. Shahzad Baig, the Pakistan Polio Eradication Programme’s national coordinator, to its list of 100 most influential people across the world in the field of health in 2024.
The list, titled ‘TIME100 HEALTH,’ this week honored individuals from across the world for their services for fresh discoveries, novel treatments, and global victories over disease.
Baig was recognized for his efforts for the eradication of poliovirus, which mainly affects children under the age of ten years by invading their nervous system, and can cause paralysis or even death.
Pakistan and Afghanistan are the only two countries in the world where polio continues to threaten the health and well-being of children.
“On the front lines in the effort to stamp it [polio] out is Dr. Shahzad Baig, national coordinator of Pakistan’s polio-eradication program,” TIME wrote on its website.
“In 2019, polio disabled or killed 147 people in Pakistan; since Baig assumed the position, in 2021, case counts have plummeted, with only six children stricken in 2023.”
Before arriving in Pakistan, Baig was a technical adviser to Nigeria’s polio eradication effort, which succeeded spectacularly, according to the US magazine.
In 2020, the African country became the most recent one in the world to be declared polio-free.
“If Baig has his way, Pakistan will be the next,” it added.
Pakistan’s Dr. Shahzad Baig makes it to TIME’s 100 world leaders in health
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Pakistan’s Dr. Shahzad Baig makes it to TIME’s 100 world leaders in health
- Before arriving in Pakistan, Baig was a technical adviser to Nigeria’s polio eradication effort, which remained successful
- Pakistan, Afghanistan are only two countries in world where polio continues to threaten health and well-being of children
PM announces Rs10 million each for players of Pakistan’s U-19 Asia Cup winning squad
- Pakistan thumped favorites India by 191 runs in a one-sided contest in Dubai on Sunday
- PM Sharif also announces Rs2.5 million prize for each member of the team’s management
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has announced a cash reward of Rs10 million ($35,700) each for the players of Pakistan’s Under-19 Asia Cup winning squad, the state-run Radio Pakistan broadcaster reported on Monday.
The development came after a luncheon hosted by the prime minister in Islamabad in honor of the Pakistan U-19 team, commending the team management, Captain Farhan Yousaf, Sameer Minhas, Ali Raza and all members of the contingent for bringing laurels to the country.
Pakistan thumped favorites India in a one-sided contest in Dubai on Sunday. Sent to bat first, Pakistan finished at an impressive 347-8 from 50 overs, powered by an explosive 172-run knock by Minhas. In response, India could only manage a score of 156 runs before being bowled out, with Raza returning figures of 4-42.
“I would like to congratulate you all from the bottom of my heart,” Sharif told Pakistan players and officials in comments televised on Monday. “You defeated the opponent in a way that no one could have imagined.”
In addition, Sharif announced a cash prize of Rs2.5 million ($8,926) for each member of the team’s management, Radio Pakistan reported.
Earlier, the Under-19 Asia Cup champions received a rousing heroes’ welcome upon arrival at the Islamabad airport from Dubai, according to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).
The team was welcomed at the airport by State Minister for Finance Bilal Azhar Kayani and other officials. The U-19 cricket stars were showered with rose petals as a large crowd of fans thronged the airport to catch a glimpse of the winning side.
Social media footage also showed a large number of fans posing with the cricket stars for selfies and pictures.
