AFTER the long and tedious efforts of those running the national polio programme, there are signs that Pakistan might just be able to eradicate the crippling disease. With only one case of wild poliovirus reported so far this year, the hard work of Pakistan’s polio workers, who walk from door to door in the face of rejection and threats to vaccinate youngsters, is finally paying off. It is even more significant that this progress has been made in the difficult era of Covid-19, when manpower and resources are difficult to muster, let alone manage. Last year, vaccination campaigns remained suspended for more than five months. Despite that, the only wild poliovirus case surfaced in Balochistan while eight cases of circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type-2 have been reported. In 2020, there were 84 WPV and 135 cVDPV2 cases. The relatively low number of cases and negative environmental samples indicate that the poliovirus is indeed on the wane. However, experts warn that this progress is fragile and could be reversed if vaccination efforts are halted or compromised. Pakistan was on the brink of eliminating polio in 2018. But a complacent attitude dominated the last push, leading to an aggressive resurgence of polio in 2019 that overturned previous gains.

So, the authorities should not pat themselves on the back just yet. On the contrary, now is the time to double down on vaccination efforts to make way for Pakistan’s exit from the tiny club of two countries (the other being Afghanistan) where the disease remains endemic. With a national immunisation drive beginning on Aug 2 and aiming to vaccinate over 23.6m children, it would be a good idea for the authorities to simultaneously launch a robust information campaign to educate the public. As 179,000 polio workers put themselves at risk yet again by going from door to door to vaccinate our children, the government must also do its bit to persuade reluctant parents to comply for their children’s sake. Hopefully, with consistent efforts, Pakistan can root out polio.

Published in Dawn, July 31st, 2021

Opinion

Editorial

Rushed legislation
Updated 06 Nov, 2024

Rushed legislation

For all its stress on "supremacy of parliament", the ruling coalition has wasted no opportunity to reiterate where its allegiances truly lie.
Jail reform policy
06 Nov, 2024

Jail reform policy

THE state is making a fresh attempt to improve conditions in Pakistan’s penitentiaries by developing a national...
BISP overhaul
06 Nov, 2024

BISP overhaul

IT has emerged that the spouses of over 28,500 Sindh government employees have been illicitly benefiting from BISP....
Smog hazard
Updated 05 Nov, 2024

Smog hazard

The catastrophe unfolding in Lahore is a product of authorities’ repeated failure to recognise environmental impact of rapid urbanisation.
Monetary policy
05 Nov, 2024

Monetary policy

IN an aggressive move, the State Bank on Monday reduced its key policy rate by a hefty 250bps to 15pc. This is the...
Cultural power
05 Nov, 2024

Cultural power

AS vital modes of communication, art and culture have the power to overcome social and international barriers....