Islamabad: Pakistan faces a growing public health challenge with the announcement of two new cases of polio, one from Zhob district in Balochistan and another from Tank district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, bringing the total number of cases in 2024 to 28. These developments emphasize the critical need for comprehensive vaccination efforts across the country.
According to Pakistan Polio Eradication Programme, the affected include a female child from Zhob and a male child from Tank. This marks the second polio case in Zhob for the year, and the first from Tank. Additionally, the presence of the virus in sewage samples from these districts suggests ongoing transmission risks, raising significant concerns about the safety of unvaccinated children.
Prime Minister’s Focal Person for Polio Eradication, Ms. Ayesha Raza Farooq, has urgently called on parents, caregivers, and families to ensure their children receive vaccinations. “The government delivers the polio vaccine right to your doorstep several times a year. Each visit from our polio workers carries the hope of securing a healthier future for your children,” she stated, urging cooperation with vaccination teams.
The upcoming nationwide polio campaign set to begin on October 28 is part of the government’s intensified efforts to combat this health threat. The Coordinator of the National Emergency Operations Center for Polio Eradication, Mr. Muhammad Anwarul Haq, highlighted challenges such as access to vulnerable children, security concerns, vaccine hesitancy, and community boycotts, particularly in Balochistan and southern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. These factors have complicated efforts to eradicate the disease.
Efforts are underway to increase vaccination coverage, build community trust, and integrate health services for better outcomes. The Prime Minister’s Focal Person and NEOC Coordinator recently met with Peshawar’s Chief Secretary Mr. Nadeem Aslam Chaudhry and other senior officials to discuss improvements for the upcoming campaign and the ‘Big Catch-Up’ initiative, which aims to update all missed routine vaccinations for children under five against 12 diseases, including polio.
This proactive stance underscores the commitment of Pakistani health authorities to eliminate polio and safeguard children’s health across the nation.