QUETTA: Yet another polio case in Balochistan was reported by health officials on Saturday. This brings the total to four cases reported from the province this year and 48 overall in the country.

The latest victim from Balochistan is a five-month-old baby boy from Qila Abdullah, a town bordering Afghanistan, whose parents turned away polio workers from their doorstep repeatedly, said provincial health department officials.

The earlier three Balochistan polio cases were reported from Qila Abdullah, Quetta and Jaffarabad districts.

Parents and communities continue to refuse anti-polio vaccination drops in Balochistan even though authorities concerned have been taking severe action against them such as cutting of power and gas connections of their houses.

Nevertheless, Emergency Polio Centre Quetta said it will initiate a special anti-polio drive at the end of August and other health officials said they are taking “special measures” in highly sensitive areas such as Quetta, Pishin and Qila Abdullah.

Published in Dawn, August 4th, 2019