Polio terrorism in Pakistan

Pakistan is an under develop country; it is facing many problems of different level. Health care system in Pakistan is unfortunately insufficient and expensive.

Since the start of the first National immunization days (NIDs) in the early 1990s; Pakistan has made great progress towards eradication of “Polio” from the country. Through heroic efforts of frontline health workers and concerted focus by the Government of Pakistan, the number of Polio cases in Pakistan has dropped from a high of more than 20,000 cases a year when the programme started, to only 58 in 2012.

There are still substantial challenges to be overcome before the prospect of a Polio-free future for the children of Pakistan becomes a reality. Despite one of the most comprehensive Polio eradication programmes anywhere in the world in every campaign scores of children, out of the targeted 34 million nationally. Still so many areas not get the vaccine due to operational issues, access, misinformation or insecurity. The virus continues to circulate and infect children in Pakistan, keeping every child under five years of age at risk.

This risk compound in areas deemed as Polio reservoirs where there is persistent virus circulation due low vaccination coverage These areas include Gadap (Karachi) Quetta Block (Quetta, Pishin, Kila Abdullah Districts), especially Peshawar and neighbouring areas, Mardan, Charsadda, Nowshehra and lakki Marwat in order to eradicate Polio.

Our Government ensures to stop circulation of virus in these reservoirs by ensuring every child is immunized during immunization campaign.

Pakistan is one of three countries in the world where poliomyelitis (polio) is still categorized as an endemic viral infection. . Polio cases in Pakistan rose by 37 percent in 2011, though by 2015 only 7 new cases were reported in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas, and only one in Karachi representing a 70% decline in new cases as compared to 2014.

Recently, Polio cases recorded in 2015 the number of persistently missed and inaccessible children is declining in Pakistan. The number of inaccessible children has declined from an estimated 300,000 to 50,000 in Federally Administered Tribal Areas. Pakistan continued to implement the Temporary Recommendations; since November, an average of 370,000 international travelers per month was vaccinated pre-departure at health facilities and points of exit. Total 282 million children cumulatively targeted in campaigns, about 267 million children (95%) have been vaccinated during 2014 and the first half of 2015.

There are 21 of 22 reported cases in 2015 were reported from Pakistan. That’s why The World Health Organization recommended strict travel restrictions on Pakistan due to the rising number of polio cases in the country last year.

The WHO said the spread of polio is an international public health emergency that threatens to infect other countries with the crippling disease.

The WHO also recommended similar restrictions on Syria and Cameroon two other countries where the disease was previously said to have been eradicated but have recently been known to have been exporting the potentially disease.

Government should take more effective measures to eradicate Polio as ongoing process with the help of communities. Political parties also should take practical steps for awareness as campaign as they do foe their political goals rather than just mention in their manifestos to please international audience.