Health

Islamabad – In a concerted effort to eradicate polio, Pakistan has mobilized 400,000 World Health Organization (WHO)-trained frontline workers to vaccinate 45 million children during the first national polio campaign of 2026, which ran from February 2-8. This massive undertaking underscores the nation’s commitment to protecting its youngest citizens from a debilitating disease that once posed a significant public health threat.

The campaign highlights the tireless dedication of health workers who navigate challenging terrain and logistical hurdles to reach every child. From the snow-capped mountains of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to the bustling streets of Rawalpindi, these individuals are the backbone of Pakistan’s polio eradication efforts. The goal is ambitious, but achievable, building on decades of progress in reducing the incidence of polio within the country.

Over the past three decades, Pakistan has made remarkable strides in combating polio, reducing cases by 99.8% – from an estimated 20,000 in the early 1990s to 31 cases in 2025, according to WHO data. This dramatic reduction is a testament to the unwavering commitment of the Pakistani government, the dedication of hundreds of thousands of polio workers, and the support of international partners.

“We climb mountains and walk through the snow for hours with great difficulty. There is also a risk of snow falling on us from the mountains. Yet we do not give up. We reach our assigned area to vaccinate all children and protect them from polio,” says Rabia, a polio worker from Upper Chitral, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Her experience exemplifies the challenges and dedication inherent in this critical public health mission.

The WHO-prequalified polio vaccines are both safe and effective, having been utilized in 195 countries to combat the disease and protect millions of children from a condition that can cause lifelong paralysis or even death. The oral polio vaccine is administered through a simple, yet powerful, method: two drops for each child.

Zeenat, a polio vaccinator in Rawalpindi, describes her daily routine: “I spent my days walking for hours, traversing narrow alleys and climbing multiple floors of buildings to visit 242 houses and administer 2 drops of the oral polio vaccine to every child.” She emphasizes the importance of vaccination, stating, “I am a mother too and I have also gotten my own children vaccinated for polio. Thank God, they are healthy and protected now. This disease has no cure. I want all parents in the country to vaccinate their children with polio drops so they don’t fall prey to paralysis.”

Momina, working with a two-member team in Booni, Upper Chitral, expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to serve her country, stating, “I thank Allah that I have gotten this opportunity to serve and I am trying my best to eradicate polio in my country.”

As a founding partner of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI), the WHO provides crucial technical and operational assistance to Pakistan’s Polio Eradication Initiative, launched in 1994. This support encompasses science-based vaccination campaigns, the training and deployment of polio workers, rapid response to outbreaks, and continuous surveillance and monitoring of vaccination efforts. WHO polio operations in Pakistan during 2024-25 were supported by contributions from Pakistan, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, France, Canada, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Germany, the United States, the Gates Foundation, and Rotary International.

The remaining hurdles to complete eradication are significant, but experts agree that ending wild polio in Pakistan and globally is within reach. However, intensified efforts are crucial, particularly in the two remaining endemic countries: Pakistan, and Afghanistan. The dedication of workers like Rabia, Momina, and Zeenat, combined with continued international support, offers a pathway to a future free from the threat of polio.

Neelum, a polio worker from Rawalpindi, succinctly captures the essence of the mission: “The vaccine is very important for children in Pakistan because polio can infect children and paralyze them. What we have is why we go house-to-house to vaccinate them so that no child is paralyzed.”

Disclaimer: This article provides informational content about public health and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of a qualified healthcare provider for any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

The ongoing commitment to polio eradication in Pakistan represents a significant investment in the health and well-being of future generations. Continued vigilance, robust vaccination campaigns, and sustained international collaboration will be essential to achieving a polio-free world. Share your thoughts on this important public health initiative in the comments below.

Madrid, Spain – A new mapping technology developed by Corify Care is poised to revolutionize the diagnosis and treatment of cardiac arrhythmias. The technology, known as Global Volumetric Mapping, offers physicians a comprehensive, real-time view of all four heart chambers simultaneously – a capability previously unavailable with existing methods. This breakthrough promises faster, more accurate assessments and potentially less invasive procedures for patients experiencing irregular heartbeats.

Current electrophysiological mapping systems analyze the heart chamber by chamber, requiring clinicians to infer activity in areas not directly visualized. Corify Care’s innovation overcomes this limitation by mapping the entire heart surface, including electrical activity within the heart walls and septum, in a single beat. This “whole-heart map” reveals how arrhythmias move through the heart, both before and during ablation therapy, providing a level of detail that could significantly improve treatment outcomes.

A New Perspective on Arrhythmia Mapping

The Global Volumetric Mapping technology, detailed in a recent publication in Communications Medicine, allows physicians to visualize arrhythmia pathways often missed by conventional tools. These hidden circuits can be located deep within the heart wall or span multiple chambers, making them difficult to identify and treat. By eliminating these “blind spots,” Corify Care’s system aims to enhance the efficiency and predictability of complex cardiac procedures.

“This is about visibility and confidence,” said Andreu Climent, PhD, CEO of Corify Care. “We give physicians the full picture upfront, not fragments. A global view means faster decisions, more targeted ablations, and potentially less complex and shorter procedures, providing clinical clarity.”

How the Technology Works

Unlike traditional mapping systems that focus on individual chambers, Corify Care’s technology delivers a single-beat, whole-heart map. This allows clinicians to observe how arrhythmias propagate through the heart muscle and across chambers in real-time. Felipe Atienza, MD, PhD, Chief Medical Officer of Corify Care, emphasized the clinical impact, stating, “For the first time, People can non-invasively observe the heart as it truly behaves—globally. That has direct implications for workflow, outcomes, and scalability within EP labs.”

Jorge Vicente-Puig, PhD, lead author of the research, highlighted the importance of a volumetric approach. “Our research demonstrates that a volumetric approach is essential for true arrhythmia characterization. We have moved beyond the mathematical limitations of the past and now offer a fully three-dimensional physiological picture,” he explained.

Regulatory Approval and Future Applications

The ACORYS system from Corify Care has received CE certification for use in Europe and is currently under review by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The company is likewise working on integrating the technology with leading catheter navigation platforms to create a seamless workflow in the electrophysiology (EP) lab. New clinical data on the application of Global Volumetric Mapping in atrial fibrillation and ventricular tachycardia will be presented at the AF Symposium in Boston in February 2026. Corify Care anticipates this will pave the way for broader clinical adoption of whole-heart mapping.

Smartwatches and Early Arrhythmia Detection

The development of Corify Care’s technology coincides with growing interest in the use of consumer wearables for early arrhythmia detection. A recent study conducted by the Amsterdam UMC and Cardiologie Centra Nederland found that smartwatches with integrated heart-monitoring features detected arrhythmias four times more often than traditional monitoring methods in 437 patients at increased risk. Medical Xpress reported that atrial fibrillation, a condition that increases stroke risk, was identified earlier in smartwatch users, often even in the absence of noticeable symptoms. This research underscores the potential of continuous, long-term monitoring for identifying intermittent or asymptomatic arrhythmias.

As cardiac mapping technology advances and consumer wearables become more sophisticated, the future of arrhythmia diagnosis and treatment appears increasingly focused on proactive, personalized care. The combination of detailed anatomical mapping and continuous physiological monitoring promises to improve outcomes and enhance the quality of life for individuals at risk of or living with heart rhythm disturbances.

Disclaimer: This article provides informational content about medical technology and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of a qualified healthcare provider for any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

What are your thoughts on the potential of wearable technology to improve heart health? Share your comments below, and please share this article with your network.

In a significant change to longstanding public health policy, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) advisory panel has narrowed its recommendations for hepatitis B vaccination in newborns. For over three decades, the CDC advised universal vaccination within 24 hours of birth. The recent vote by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) now suggests vaccination only for infants born to mothers with hepatitis B or whose status is unknown, leaving the decision for other newborns to a discussion between parents and their physicians.

This shift, finalized in December 2025, has sparked concern among public health experts who point to the remarkable success of the universal vaccination program in drastically reducing hepatitis B infections. Between 1990 and 2019, acute infections among children and teens plummeted by 99%, a testament to the effectiveness of the current strategy. The change comes amidst broader efforts by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. To re-evaluate childhood vaccination schedules.

The fresh guidance also impacts subsequent doses of the hepatitis B vaccine. The ACIP now recommends testing infants for antibodies between doses, with further vaccinations contingent on the results. This approach, experts note, has not been previously tested and raises questions about potential gaps in protection.

Hepatitis B: A Persistent Threat

Hepatitis B is a highly contagious liver infection transmitted through contact with infected body fluids – blood, semen, and vaginal secretions. While often spread through sexual contact or shared needles, transmission from mother to child during birth remains a significant concern. According to the CDC, pregnant women are routinely tested for hepatitis B, but access to prenatal care isn’t universal, meaning some infections may go undetected. The virus can also survive for up to seven days outside the body, potentially spreading through shared personal items like toothbrushes or razors, or even through accidental contact with blood during activities like sports or play.

The danger of hepatitis B is particularly acute for infants. Babies infected at birth or within their first year of life have a 90% chance of developing a chronic infection, which can lead to serious liver damage, failure, cancer, and even death. For children infected between ages one and five, the risk of chronic infection is around 30%, with one quarter of those developing a chronic infection ultimately dying from the disease.

A History of Success and Concerns About Reversal

The universal hepatitis B vaccination program, initiated in 1991, has been widely lauded as a public health triumph. Data shows an 88.5% decline in reported acute hepatitis B infections since the vaccine’s recommendation in 1982, falling from 9.6 cases per 100,000 population to 1.1 cases per 100,000 population in 2015. The ACIP’s decision to move away from this model has been met with criticism from many in the medical community, who argue that the benefits of universal vaccination far outweigh any perceived risks.

Some ACIP members have advocated for a shared decision-making model, believing it empowers parents with more information. However, critics fear this approach will create confusion and potentially lead to lower vaccination rates, reversing decades of progress. The safety profile of the hepatitis B vaccine is well-established, with over a billion doses administered worldwide since 1982, and common side effects are typically mild, such as headaches, fever, or soreness at the injection site.

What’s Next for Hepatitis B Vaccination?

The implications of this policy change remain to be seen. Public health officials will be closely monitoring vaccination rates and tracking any potential increases in hepatitis B infections among infants and children. The CDC will likely provide further guidance to healthcare providers to facilitate informed discussions with parents about the risks and benefits of hepatitis B vaccination. It is crucial that parents have access to accurate, evidence-based information to make the best decisions for their children’s health.

This evolving situation underscores the importance of ongoing dialogue between medical professionals, policymakers, and the public regarding vaccination strategies. Share your thoughts and questions in the comments below.

Disclaimer: This article provides informational content and should not be considered medical advice. Please consult with a qualified healthcare professional for any health concerns or before making any decisions related to your health or treatment.

A well-maintained Rauch MDS 65 mineral fertilizer spreader is currently available for purchase, offering farmers and agricultural professionals a reliable and efficient solution for nutrient application. The unit, described as being in excellent condition, is equipped with several features designed to optimize performance and versatility in the field.

The MDS 65 boasts a 460-liter capacity and includes attachments for both a cover or tarp, all controlled hydraulically. A key feature is the integrated border spreading device, allowing for precise application along field edges. The spreader’s throwing vanes are reported to be in like-new condition, ensuring consistent and accurate distribution of fertilizer. Rauch is a well-known manufacturer of agricultural equipment, and the MDS series is recognized for its durability and functionality. Rauch provides detailed documentation for its MDS series spreaders, highlighting their commitment to quality and user support.

Key Features and Condition

The seller emphasizes the meticulous care taken with the machine, stating it was washed and oiled after each use, preventing rust and ensuring smooth operation. There is no reported oil leakage, further indicating the unit’s well-maintained status. The spreader comes complete with a drawbar for easy connection to tractors. Delivery is also an option for potential buyers. The MDS 65 is designed for spreading distances ranging from 8 to 18 meters, making it suitable for a variety of field sizes and crop types. Manuals for the Rauch MDS series, including the 65 model, are readily available, providing detailed instructions for operation and maintenance.

Rauch Wurfscheiben (throwing vanes) are known for their versatility, functioning effectively in various application phases, including standard fertilization, late-stage fertilization, and optimized spreading along field boundaries. Two disc types, M1 and M2, cover a working width of 10 to 24 meters, offering flexibility for different agricultural needs. Further details on the capabilities of MDS spreading discs can be found in product literature from Rauch.

Model Versatility and Compatibility

The Rauch MDS 65 is compatible with a range of other Rauch models, and replacement parts, such as the throwing vanes, are widely available. The Rauch Wurfscheibe is compatible with numerous MDS models including the MDS 52, MDS 55, MDS 82, MDS 85, and MDS 735, among others.

The MDS 65 is part of a broader series – the MDS 55/65/85/735/935 – known for its robust construction and reliable performance. ManualsLib provides access to the operating manual for the Rauch MDS 65, offering comprehensive guidance for users.

This particular unit presents an opportunity to acquire a well-cared-for piece of agricultural equipment, ready for immediate use. The combination of hydraulic control, border spreading capabilities, and the excellent condition of the throwing vanes make it a potentially valuable asset for any farming operation.

As agricultural technology continues to evolve, the demand for efficient and precise fertilizer application remains high. The availability of well-maintained equipment like this Rauch MDS 65 provides a cost-effective solution for farmers seeking to optimize their yields and minimize environmental impact. Interested parties are encouraged to contact the seller for further details and to arrange a viewing.

Disclaimer: This article provides informational content only and does not constitute professional agricultural or financial advice. Purchasing decisions should be based on individual needs and thorough evaluation of the equipment.

What are your thoughts on the current market for used agricultural equipment? Share your insights in the comments below.