THE surge in polio cases has reached distressing levels with a tally of 45 last reported, after two cases emerged in Lakki Marwat and D.I. Khan. Despite nationwide vaccination efforts targeting millions of children, the virus continues to find footholds in previously unaffected districts like Noshki in Balochistan and Mianwali in Punjab. It has become painfully evident that we are in urgent need of a reassessment of our polio eradication strategy. We are hindered by persistent challenges — vaccine refusal, poor healthcare infrastructure, and security threats to health workers. Vaccine hesitancy is becoming a catastrophic obstacle, fuelled by myths linking polio drops to infertility and other unfounded fears. The Sindh government’s plan to engage religious leaders to address these misconceptions is appreciable and could turn the tide in high-refusal areas like Karachi. However, a wider cultural and community-based effort is needed. Clerics, educators, and large-scale media campaigns must reinforce the vaccine’s safety and religious acceptance. Equally pressing are attacks on health workers, like the assault on a polio team member in Okara. It is essential to secure dedicated personnel for polio campaigns who are equipped with counterterrorism training and equipment.

Moreover, recent environmental samples testing positive in multiple regions suggest that immunity levels among children are low. This indicates systemic failures in our routine immunisation coverage, which must be improved. We need an approach that integrates routine immunisation with essential services like sanitation and nutrition. This broader public health strategy would not only enhance vaccine coverage but also address underlying drivers of disease transmission. While the National Emergency Action Plan for Polio 2024-25 aims to address these concerns by targeting mobile populations and focusing on high-risk districts, its success depends on proper implementation and inter-agency coordination, especially in volatile areas. These steps, combined with governmental commitment, are critical for ensuring every child’s right to a life free from polio.

Published in Dawn, November 3rd, 2024