ISLAMABAD: Pakistani nationals going abroad are confused whether the travel restrictions imposed by the World Health Organisation (WHO) require them to get vaccinated against polio before undertaking the journey or get a certificate to the same effect.
Mohammad Noman, doing his MPhil in China, took the question to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims) on Wednesday but drew a blank from them.
“I’m worried. They said the authorities may take some time to decide the matter and start the process,” he told Dawn, visibly shaken at the prospect of being deported from China for not carrying the required document.
“It will cost me hugely to buy a new air ticket. The Chinese authorities are very strict in health matters and about polio in particular,” he said, appealing the government for quick action “as a large number of students and other intending international travelers are confused”.
Minister of National Health Services Saira Afzal Tarar said she was aware of the problem people intending to go abroad were facing and the rumours the situation had given rise to in the country.
“I have talked to WHO and requested them to relax the restrictions for 15 days to save the intending travelers any difficulty. Within 15 days certificates will be finalised and vaccine will be given to every person going out of country,” she assured.
Travel restrictions announced by WHO on Monday aim at stopping the spread of wild poliovirus.
They apparently surprised the Pakistani government but not others who saw them coming as wild poliovirus strains that exist in the world today originated either from Pakistan-Afghanistan border area or from northern Nigeria.
Devout Muslims going for the lesser pilgrimage of Umrah are the other big section of international travelers hit by the WHO restrictions.
Malik Meraj Khalid, a local travel agent, said potential clients worried about the restrictions rather than anti-polio vaccination.
“A number of intending Umrah pilgrims called us on Wednesday inquired where to get the certificate. It will be matter of guilt and embarrassment if they are stopped at the airport in Pakistan or deported from Saudi Arabia,” he told Dawn.
“Although Saudi Arabia administers polio vaccine to visitors at the time of entry in the country, even frequent visitors are now curious how the Saudis would implement the latest WHO requirement,” he added.
