{
  "id": 6530912,
  "title": "Polio workers to get 28pc stipend raise",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/10/polio-workers-to-get-28pc-stipend-raise",
  "topic": "health",
  "section": "Health & Medicine",
  "published": "2026-09-10T03:25:52.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Dawn",
    "slug": "dawn",
    "url": "https://www.dawn.com/news/2028769/polio-workers-to-get-28pc-stipend-raise"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Islamabad - The Pakistan Polio Eradication Initiative (PEI) has announced a 28 percent raise in the daily stipend for more than 400,000 frontline workers involved in polio vaccination campaigns, in preparation for the upcoming sub-national campaign from September 21 to 27. During this drive, vaccination teams will administer vaccines to more than 31 million children across 115 districts in Pakistan's five provinces.\n\nThe 28 percent increase in stipend comes after a series of Frontline Worker Listening Sessions held nationwide, where vaccinators and other personnel were given the chance to directly interact with PEI leadership and share their experiences, challenges, and suggestions from the field.\n\nIn addition to the stipend increase, PEI is taking broader steps to better support frontline workers, including upgrading Frontline Worker Support Centres with basic amenities in certain areas, issuing ID cards to frontline workers, and developing operational safety guidelines to ensure their safety while working in the field.\n\nAyesha Raza Farooq, PM’s Focal Person for Polio Eradication, stated that the frontline workers are the backbone of Pakistan's efforts towards a polio-free future. She emphasized the 28 percent increase as an important step in recognizing their dedication and contributions to the eradication efforts, and reaffirmed PEI's commitment to ensuring the frontline workers feel safe, respected, valued, and supported in their crucial work.",
  "summary": "ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Polio Eradication Initiative (PEI) on Wednesday announced a 28 per cent increase in the daily stipend for over 400,000 campaign-based frontline workers ahead of the next sub-national campaign, scheduled for Sept 21-27. During the upcoming drive, vaccination teams will reach more than 31 million children across 115 districts in Balochistan, Gilgit-Baltistan, Islamabad,…",
  "key_points": [
    "Pakistan Polio Eradication Initiative raises daily stipend for frontline workers by 28 percent.",
    "Stipend increase ahead of sub-national campaign from September 21 to 27.",
    "Initiative holds listening sessions to gather frontline worker feedback and suggestions."
  ],
  "editors_take": "The stipend raise for polio workers reflects a heightened recognition of their dedication and contributions, indicating a shift in how their efforts are valued and supported by the Pakistan Polio Eradication Initiative.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}