THIS December there is another polio drive being conducted in the province till Dec 17. Throughout the world, there is no sign of this crippling disease except in Pakistan and Afghanistan (which still have a few active cases).

A majority of the country’s population is aware of the drive and its mission to inoculate as many children (under the age of five) as possible. There are drives and campaigns almost every month now and involve local doctors, paramedics, lady health workers, volunteers and deputy commissioners and such — who work very hard. Everyone is directly or indirectly involved all the way up to the prime minister.

Recently Prime Minister Imran Khan chaired a meeting on polio with higher authorities and the security forces which was covered in the media.

These drives are possible with efforts made by the UN’s health related agencies such as WHO and Unicef.

During the campaign polio workers face challenges — for instance, harsh weather ranging from boiling hot temperatures to snowfall, the non-availability of ice packs in specific areas, etc.

Despite all of this, I have personally observed that almost all workers seem to be happy with the money they get as compensation. I would like to suggest that the health minister should give these volunteers appreciation certificates as well.

Dr Sunil

Thatta

Published in Dawn, December 15th, 2018