AFTER 11 months of savage Israeli violence, Gaza’s health and sanitation systems have collapsed. As a result, the crippling polio virus has made a resurgence in the occupied territory after a quarter century. One confirmed case has been reported, while the virus has been found in numerous environmental samples. This has prompted the international community, led by the UN and WHO, into action, and in order to halt the spread of polio, emergency campaigns have been launched in the besieged Strip. Carrying out a vaccination campaign in a war zone is no easy task, but all parties involved, including the Israeli regime, have been asked to hold their fire so that vulnerable children can be reached. This has resulted in ‘humanitarian pauses’ to allow for a three-phased vaccination campaign. And though the trigger-happy Israeli forces continue their blood-soaked campaign both in Gaza and the West Bank, the limited humanitarian pauses are largely being respected. This situation should compel policymakers in Pakistan to do much more to eliminate the virus in this country. Reports emerged on Friday of the year’s 17th case, this time from Islamabad.

If the guns can fall silent — even temporarily — in one of the most brutal conflicts of the modern age to enable polio vaccinations, what is stopping us from reaching every vulnerable child? Unfortunately, in Pakistan, those brave souls who administer polio drops are targeted by terrorists. Over 100 vaccinators have paid with their lives, largely due to rumours spread by regressive elements. The state must respond to the polio challenge with seriousness and alacrity, to save Pakistan’s children from this crippling ailment. If we fail to do this, we will not only endanger our children’s future, it will also become more difficult for Pakistanis to travel abroad, as the country is considered amongst the last reservoirs of polio globally. If polio campaigns can be undertaken in Gaza’s hellscape, we have no excuses.

Published in Dawn, September 8th, 2024