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                        <title>The Express Tribune</title>
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                        <description>The Express Tribune keeps you up to date with all the latest happenings from Pakistan and across the world!</description>
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			<title>Weight of paralysis</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2590109/weight-of-paralysis</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2590109/weight-of-paralysis#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sat, 31 Jan 26 16:45:33 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[Tufail Ahmed]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category><category><![CDATA[T-Magazine]]></category>
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				<![CDATA[Carrying decades of geopolitical controversy and lacking rehabilitation, polio survivors shoulder an invisible burden]]>
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				<![CDATA[Even after three decades of aggressive eradication campaigns marked by public mistrust, Pakistan has failed to develop a government-run system for the treatment, rehabilitation, or long-term social integration of children already disabled by polio. As prevention through vaccination remains the state&rsquo;s exclusive strategy, thousands of polio survivors silently carry the weight of paralysis.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), poliomyelitis also known as polio, primarily affects children under the age of five, attacking the nervous system and causing irreversible paralysis, most commonly in the lower limbs. Medical experts confirm that the disease is incurable: once the virus damages nerve cells, the resulting disability cannot be reversed through surgery, medication, or therapy. Children disabled by polio, therefore, face lifelong physical limitations, often accompanied by psychological distress, stigma, and social exclusion that intensify as they grow older.

Pakistan&rsquo;s first national polio eradication campaign was launched in 1994 by then Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, who administered polio drops to her daughter in Karachi. For the past 31 years, polio eradication campaigns have continued in Pakistan with support from the WHO, Unicef, and other institutions. Initially, the campaign operated under the Health Department, but it is now managed by district administrations. Between 1994 and 2025, Pakistan recorded a staggering total of 14,206 confirmed polio cases, creating a large but largely invisible population of survivors.

However, till date, the country lacks public rehabilitation centres, vocational training programmes, or psychosocial support systems tailored to polio survivors, forcing families to seek costly private care that many cannot afford. Without structured support, disabled children and adults are left vulnerable to neglect and exploitation, while facing persistent barriers to education, employment, and social participation. Given the patriarchal nature of the social system, for girls in particular, disability often reduces marriage prospects, reinforcing isolation and long-term insecurity.

Professor Dr Waseem Jamalvi, a paediatrician at Dow University of Health Sciences and President of the Pakistan Paediatric Association Sindh, underscored that no cure existed anywhere in the world for children disabled by polio. &ldquo;The virus impacts each child differently, but those with weaker immunity face a significantly higher risk of infection. Paralysis caused by polio cannot be reversed because the virus permanently destroys nerve cells. Ensuring that every child under five receives polio drops during immunisation campaigns remains critical however, prevention alone does not address the lifelong realities faced by those already living with disability,&rdquo; noted Dr Jamalvi.

According to statistics from the National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC), the highest number of polio cases, 2,635, was reported in 1994, after which a steady decline in cases was observed. In 2025, a total of 30 cases were reported from across the country, with the highest number (19) recorded in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P), nine recorded in Sindh, and one each in Punjab and Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B). In K-P, the worst affected province, the majority of cases originated from North Waziristan, Lakki Marwat, Tank, Dera Ismail Khan, Lower Kohistan, Torghar, and Bannu. Unsurprisingly, these are the same regions where vaccination attempts have long been marred by a lethal mix of foreign conspiracy theories and entrenched local resistance.



Vials of controversy

Despite decades of mass vaccination campaigns, polio continues to circulate in Pakistan, largely due to deep-rooted mistrust and persistent resistance to immunisation. In essence, the country&rsquo;s eradication efforts are undermined by a combination of misinformation, political interference, and security challenges that have turned protective polio drops into vials of controversy.

Till date, vaccine hesitancy remains one of the biggest obstacles. In parts of K-P and Sindh, rumours persist that polio drops cause infertility or are part of a Western conspiracy. Public suspicion intensified after 2011, when the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) used a fake vaccination campaign led by a local doctor, Shakil Afridi, to locate the world&rsquo;s most wanted terrorist, Osama bin Laden, in Abbottabad. While the mission was covert, its consequences were long-lasting as families became wary of health workers and began refusing vaccinations.

Experts are of the opinion that this erosion of trust was one of the primary reasons leading Pakistan to remain among the only two countries where polio is still endemic. Apart from this, security threats have also compounded the problem. Since the 1990s, more than 200 polio workers and their security escorts have been killed in militant attacks. These attacks have not only disrupted immunisation drives but have also created fear among frontline workers and their families, slowing progress and increasing the number of children missed during vaccination campaigns. Even in urban centres, teams face resistance fuelled by rumours and local scepticism, highlighting that the challenge is not only logistical but also social.

Experts also point to weaknesses in communication and outreach strategies. While billions of rupees have been spent on vaccination campaigns, public awareness efforts often fail to address local concerns or involve community leaders. Dr Farman Ali, a public health specialist in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, felt that without sustained community engagement and trust-building, polio would continue to exist, no matter how many vaccines were delivered. &ldquo;Environmental surveillance has shown that the virus persists in sewage samples across multiple provinces, signalling that incomplete coverage and social resistance are keeping the virus alive,&rdquo; said Dr Ali.

&ldquo;Even as polio has been eliminated in Yemen, Sudan, and several African countries, Pakistan struggles with inconsistent strategies, insufficient local trust, and logistical gaps. In this scenario, building confidence in vaccination, addressing misinformation, and protecting frontline workers are as critical as the vaccines themselves,&rdquo; said Dr Ali, who believed that without tackling these social and political barriers, eradication will remain an elusive goal, leaving the country to contend with the ongoing human and financial cost of a preventable disease.

Expanding on the problem, a senior official associated with the K-P polio programme stated that while governments and international funding agencies continued to invest heavily in prevention and vaccination, little attention was paid to the long-term needs of those already affected by the virus. Syed Muhammad Ilyas, Chief Executive of the Paraplegic Centre Hayatabad, revealed that his organisation provided wheelchairs and basic rehabilitation services to more than 2,020 polio-affected individuals, yet there was no specialised centre in the province dedicated exclusively to polio survivors.

&ldquo;Whenever a polio case is reported, the news spreads within seconds across all platforms. But after that, no one asks what will happen to the affected child or what their future will be,&rdquo; said Qari Saad Noor, a person with disabilities and President of the Special Persons Association Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. According to reports and data from the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics for 2023&ndash;2025, the prevalence of disability in K-P stands at approximately 3.2 per cent of the estimated population of nearly 40 million.

Disabled by stigma

People with disabilities often navigate a world that overlooks their intellectual potential in light of their physical impairment. As a result, polio survivors, especially young girls, face daunting obstacles in accessing education, pursuing careers, and forming families, leaving them isolated, socially marginalised, and, in many ways, disabled by stigma.

Ayesha, the mother of a polio-affected girl from Gadap, revealed that her daughter, now 16 years old, had been living with disability since 2009 due to polio. Narrating her painful journey, Ayesha shared that her daughter was only a toddler when her lower body suddenly became paralysed. After medical examinations and tests, it was confirmed that she had contracted polio.

&ldquo;All possible treatments were attempted, but doctors declared the disease incurable. Along with physiotherapy, traditional treatments were also tried, but without success,&rdquo; said Ayesha. &ldquo;Due to disability, my daughter suffers from depression and is undergoing treatment. She walks with crutches at home and could not continue her education beyond eighth grade. The family now faces severe mental stress regarding her marriage prospects,&rdquo; she said.

Similarly, 48-year-old Azhar was affected by polio in childhood. He could not remember the exact age he contracted the disease, but his parents told him he was three years old at the time. Due to polio-related disability, Azhar faced severe difficulties in education, employment, and marriage despite wanting to move ahead in his life. Although he continued his education privately, he avoided social interaction, hesitated to attend gatherings, and suffered from feelings of inferiority when seeing healthy individuals.

&ldquo;Due to my disability, I could not secure employment or manage life independently,&rdquo; Azhar said. &ldquo;The personalities of boys and girls affected by polio do not fully develop, and they lack confidence during their education. Such children suffer from an inferiority complex, their mental development is affected, and their abilities become limited.&rdquo; He continued, &ldquo;I would urge the government to take concrete steps for polio rehabilitation and to allocate job quotas for polio-affected individuals.&rdquo; Azhar stressed that polio drops were essential for every child since even a minor negligence could ruin their whole life.



Waseem Khan, a person with disabilities from the Gulbahar area of Peshawar, also shared his concerns with The Express Tribune. He said thousands of girls and women with disabilities face neglect and exclusion, as no one is willing to take responsibility for helping them become productive members of society. &ldquo;Families with financial means can arrange rehabilitation and treatment for their children affected by polio. But what about the poor? Those who cannot afford treatment are confined to their beds. Who will ask about them?&rdquo; he asked.

Khan urged the government and donor agencies to establish a well-equipped, specialised rehabilitation centre for polio affected persons, stressing that empowering this segment of the population would enable them to contribute meaningfully to the country.

Dr Khalid Jamil, a disability rights advocate implored that disability, whether caused by polio, paralysis, illness, or accidents, was worsened by poverty. &quot;Limited mobility reduces employment opportunities, doubling economic hardship. Therefore, the government must provide vocational training, interest-free loans, and enforce the three-percent employment quota,&quot; Dr Jamil said.

&ldquo;In addition to this, it must also offer free education, supply prosthetic limbs, and create income-generating opportunities, especially for women, including online work and teaching. With proper support, polio-affected individuals can become productive members of society and contribute across various professions,&rdquo; emphasised Dr Jamil, who himself is a polio survivor.



The road ahead

While Pakistan has made progress in reducing case numbers over the years, persistent outbreaks and the virus&rsquo;s continued presence in environmental samples highlight the gaps that remain. The road ahead is not just about preventing new infections but also about finally breaking the cycle of fear, misinformation, and neglect.

According to Adeel Tasawur, Head of the Polio Programme in Punjab, the province had demonstrated strong population immunity and operational effectiveness. &ldquo;Last year, barely two polio cases were reported in Punjab, both with low clinical severity,&rdquo; claimed Tasawur. However, this paint only a partial picture of the polio situation across other areas of the country, where socio-historical and cultural barriers thwart vaccination efforts.

&ldquo;K-P remained the primary hotspot, accounting for 19 cases, while Sindh recorded a rise in infections. The virus was also detected in Punjab and Gilgit-Baltistan. Despite more than five decades of vaccination campaigns, Pakistan remains one of only two countries in the world where polio is still endemic, and inconsistent strategies have pushed the goal of eradication further out of reach,&rdquo; explained Dr Mohammed Hussain, Pakistan Paediatric Association&#39;s Vice President for K-P.

Former District Health Officer Dr Farman Ali, revealed that nearly 40 percent of children in K-P suffered from malnutrition, making them more vulnerable to infection. &ldquo;The K-P Health Department and donor-supported polio eradication programmes have failed to build sustained public trust in vaccination, allowing the virus to persist. Polio has been eradicated in other nations, while Pakistan and Afghanistan remain the last two affected countries. Although some progress has been made, major gaps remain, especially since water in Peshawar continues to be contaminated and environmental samples still detect the virus,&rdquo; said Dr Ali.

On the other hand, Associate Professor Dr Ali Faisal Saleem, Vice Chair of the Child Health Department at the Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH), urged that Pakistan&rsquo;s efforts to eliminate polio were plagued by the fact that vaccination coverage for preventable diseases was still uneven.

&ldquo;Although Punjab performs comparatively better in terms of vaccination coverage, Sindh lags behind. There is a dire need to identify high-risk areas through environmental and sewage surveillance, since several sewage samples in major cities have tested positive. Polio cases continue to emerge because children missed during campaigns are not reached, while already vaccinated children receive repeated doses,&rdquo; said Dr Saleem, adding that the vaccine was effective yet access, awareness, and parental consent remained the real challenges.

Dr Ali reiterated that despite billions of rupees allocated to polio eradication efforts, K-P had no specialised rehabilitation centres for individuals already disabled by the disease. On the contrary, Polio Operations Centre Coordinator Shafiullah Khan clarified that the establishment of polio rehabilitation centres fell under the responsibility of the Health Department and the Social Welfare Department, not the polio eradication programme.

&ldquo;The polio programme must urgently reform its communication and community engagement strategies to rebuild trust. Without meaningful public confidence and inclusive long-term planning, polio will continue to circulate in Pakistan,&rdquo; warned Dr Ali.]]>
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			<title>Final polio vaccination campaign of 2025 underway, 38 million children immunised</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2582780/final-polio-vaccination-campaign-of-2025-underway-38-million-children-immunised</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2582780/final-polio-vaccination-campaign-of-2025-underway-38-million-children-immunised#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Thu, 18 Dec 25 05:57:10 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Razya Khan]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
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			<description>
				<![CDATA[Authorities urge parents to support final push against virus]]>
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				<![CDATA[Pakistan&rsquo;s final nationwide polio vaccination campaign of 2025 continued for a fourth day, with authorities reporting that nearly 38 million children have been immunised.

Pakistan is one of only two countries in the world, along with Afghanistan, where polio has not yet been eradicated. The current campaign is being conducted simultaneously in both countries as part of coordinated regional efforts to eliminate the virus.

Read: Polio team attacked in Bajaur, two martyred including policeman

According to the National Emergency Operations Centre (EOC), more than 37.8 million children under the age of five were administered polio drops during the first three days of the campaign, which began on 15 December and will run until 21 December.

Punjab recorded the highest coverage, with about 20.8 million children immunised, followed by Sindh with more than 7.4 million. In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, over 6.1 million children received the vaccine, while Balochistan recorded more than 2.1 million vaccinations.

Officials in Islamabad reported that over 417,000 children had been immunised. In Gilgit-Baltistan, more than 256,000 children received the vaccine, while Azad Jammu and Kashmir recorded over 689,000 vaccinations.

Health authorities said more than 400,000 polio workers are participating in the campaign, conducting door-to-door immunisations.

The National EOC has urged parents and communities to cooperate with vaccination teams, noting that polio is incurable and can cause lifelong paralysis. Officials appealed to parents to ensure all children under five are vaccinated.

Read more: Why 40,000 Karachi families refused the polio vaccine

Low routine immunisation coverage, vaccine hesitancy, and population movement continue to leave spaces where the virus survives, and health officials have repeatedly warned that the success of the polio eradication programme depends heavily on community participation and public trust, particularly in high-risk areas.]]>
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			<title>From crisis to control: Balochistan’s polio breakthrough</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2558091/from-crisis-to-control-balochistans-polio-breakthrough</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2558091/from-crisis-to-control-balochistans-polio-breakthrough#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sun, 27 Jul 25 05:23:35 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[MOHAMMAD ZAFAR BALOCH]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category><category><![CDATA[Health]]></category><category><![CDATA[T-Magazine]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2558091</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Zero wild virus cases in 2025 mark a hopeful turnaround for the province]]>
			</description>
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				<![CDATA[Balochistan is witnessing a remarkable turnaround in its battle against poliovirus, with 2025 marking a period of steady progress and renewed hope. Once grappling with some of the country&rsquo;s highest poliovirus transmission rates, the province now shows a significant decline in environmental surveillance positivity and&mdash;most notably&mdash;has not reported a single wild poliovirus case so far this year.

In 2024, Balochistan faced an alarming situation: all 23 of its environmental surveillance (ES) sites tested positive for poliovirus, pushing the provincial positivity rate to 72%. The crisis peaked in September when 95% of samples were positive and five cases of wild poliovirus were confirmed. The Quetta Block, a historically high-risk area, recorded an alarming 98% positivity rate&mdash;sparking serious concern among public health officials.

However, since late 2024, a steady and promising decline has emerged. By June 2025, only 4 out of 23 environmental samples tested positive, reflecting a sharp drop in positivity to 17%. This downward trend is a result of strengthened surveillance, timely interventions, and consistent community engagement, signaling a major shift in the province&rsquo;s epidemiological landscape.

When viewed against the national backdrop, Balochistan&rsquo;s progress stands out. In Sindh, environmental surveillance positivity rose from 70% in 2024 to 84% in 2025, with the Karachi Block still struggling&mdash;reporting 94% positivity this year and 83% in June alone. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) has reported 22 polio cases in 2024 and 8 more in 2025, mostly concentrated in its southern belt. Sindh has confirmed 4 new cases this year after reporting 23 in 2024, while Punjab and Gilgit-Baltistan have reported one case each.

In contrast, Balochistan&rsquo;s zero-case status in 2025 is a notable public health milestone. Officials attribute this success to an integrated approach combining high-quality immunization campaigns, community trust-building efforts, and the unwavering commitment of health workers, government authorities, and partner organizations.

&ldquo;This progress reflects the resilience and dedication of everyone involved&mdash;from frontline vaccinators to local leaders,&rdquo; said Inamul Haque, Coordinator of the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) Balochistan.

Religious leaders have played a pivotal role, using Friday sermons and local gatherings to encourage vaccination. Media partners have countered misinformation and amplified credible voices, while development agencies have provided technical and logistical support. The provincial government and district administrations have demonstrated strong ownership, ensuring each campaign is thoroughly planned, resourced, and monitored.

Initiatives like the Immunity Express, journalist engagement at the divisional level, community outreach by social mobilizers, and localized engagement activities have played a key role in increasing vaccine acceptance&mdash;especially in historically resistant areas.

&ldquo;Environmental sample positivity is declining&mdash;and that gives us hope,&rdquo; added Inamul Haque. &ldquo;But the virus still lurks. The moment we become complacent, it will strike again.&rdquo;

As Balochistan moves forward, its progress serves as a powerful reminder of what can be achieved through unity, persistence, and public trust.

&nbsp;

Mohammad Zafar Baloch is a freelance journalist based in Quetta

All facts and information are the sole responsibility of the writer

&nbsp;]]>
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			<title>Ignorance keeps polio alive</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2512966/ignorance-keeps-polio-alive</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2512966/ignorance-keeps-polio-alive#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sat, 30 Nov 24 21:46:42 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Rafiullah Mandokhel]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category><category><![CDATA[T-Magazine]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2512966</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Mobile populations &amp; widespread misconceptions allow the crippling virus to thrive]]>
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				<![CDATA[Eighteen-month-old Usman Ali from Balochistan&rsquo;s Zhob district is one of the 56 unfortunate children in Pakistan who contracted poliovirus in 2024, the most recent of these cases detected just this week. Including Usman, as many as 26 of these children belong to Balochistan, where cases have been confirmed in several districts: Chaman and Killa Abdullah along the Afghanistan border, as well as provincial capital Quetta, Dera Bugti, Jhal Magsi, Killa Saifullah, Kharan, Chagai, Noshki, Loralai, and Jaffarabad.

Usman&rsquo;s father, 40-year-old rickshaw driver Mir Wali, is the sole breadwinner for his extended family that lives hand to mouth, which includes his four other children. They live in Sohrab Goth, a slum on the outskirts Zhob, which lacks proper sanitation, clean drinking water, electricity, and access to primary education. Open defecation in Sohrab Goth puts the lives of around 2,000 other children at risk for poliovirus transmission. This is a critical concern, as the Polio Eradication Programme operates under the idea that every unvaccinated or missed child is a potential carrier of the poliovirus, capable of affecting up to 200 others



Polio, also known as poliomyelitis, is an infectious disease caused by a virus that invades the nervous system after multiplying in the intestine, and results in irreversible paralysis. After the onset of symptoms in Usman&rsquo;s case, World Health Organisation surveillance officials collected his specimens on June 28 and sent them to the National Institute of Health (NIH) in Islamabad. On July 19, the lab report revealed that the child had been infected with the poliovirus.

For Mir Wali, his son&rsquo;s polio diagnosis has compounded his family&rsquo;s struggle to make ends meet. Cradling the child in her lap amid sizzling heat, Usman&#39;s mother, an illiterate housewife, says her son had been suffering from a high fever, and she found weakness in both lower limbs. The ailing child was rushed to a private clinic in the town, but a minor illness led to his permanent disability. &ldquo;My youngest son will not be able to walk and play for his entire life,&rdquo; she laments, tears rolling down her cheeks.



Vaccine status

According to health officials, not a single vaccination card has been found at Usman&rsquo; s house. Although a finger mark was visible during the case investigation, his mother says, the child was not immunised during the last anti-polio drive, the Outbreak Response (OBR) campaign, which suggests, the child&rsquo;s finger had been marked without administering anti-polio drops. The evidence shows the child received neither an injectable vaccine (IPV) nor the oral (OPV) doses. The vaccination history revolves around the &lsquo;zero dose&rsquo; and &lsquo;fake finger marking&rsquo;.

Dr Nayyar Loni, Immunisation Officer at WHO, says the leading cause behind the Sohrab Goth case is a &lsquo;fake finger mark&rsquo; carried out by the polio teams on the request of child&rsquo;s parents, as he was suffering from fever. The polio teams deny the allegation.



&ldquo;The community is completely unaware of the importance of vaccination and the crippling nature of poliovirus. Most of the families try to hide their children during the vaccination campaigns,&rdquo; Dr Loni explains. Another cause, he adds, is mismanagement on the part of relevant government officials. &ldquo;None of the officials are taking the anti-polio programme seriously. Moreover, the teams also showed negligence and poor performance. The child was not even recorded as a refusal, but his finger was marked,&rdquo; he shares.

Although Usman&#39; s family has not traveled recently, his mother says dozens of children from the Bawar village in neighboring Loralai visited Sohrab Goth to attend a wedding ceremony recently. In June 2024, the NIH lab revealed in a report that sewage samples collected from Loralai contained wild poliovirus (WPV) type-1.



Deputy Provincial Coordinator of the Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI) in Balochistan, Dr Zafar Khosti, says static sites have been established across the province. &ldquo;It is now the responsibility of the parents to get their children vaccinated against various diseases, including polio.&rdquo;

&ldquo;Complete polio eradication is a distant dream, until routine vaccination is improved and vaccination of all under-five children is ensured,&quot; he adds.



Routine Immunisation

Routine vaccination is the regular vaccination of under-five children against various vaccine-preventable diseases. It is considered to be the gold standard for preventing diseases, including polio. The vaccination programme, started back in the 1970s in Pakistan, aims at protecting children from poliomyelitis, infant tuberculosis, diphtheria, whooping cough, neonatal tetanus, hepatitis-B, pneumonia, haemophilus influenza, measles and rubella. Regrettably, vaccination coverage is often low in nomadic communities as compared to the urban population. Sohrab Goth also houses a nomadic population that seasonally migrates between Zhob, Loralai, Dera Ismail Khan, Bannu, Punjab, and other parts of the country. This community has been identified as High Risk Mobile Population (HRMP) for the poliovirus.



High-Risk Mobile Population

In the northern part of Balochistan, Zhob (Fort Sandeman) holds not only historical but also geographical importance, as it shares borders with Afghanistan and the tribal region of South Waziristan. The ancient district also falls on the international route of Afghan nomads, locally known as &lsquo;Kochis&rsquo; who travel between the Afghanistan-Pakistan border areas (after border-fencing) and the plains of Punjab. Twice a year, they pass through Zhob.

Dr Amin, N-STOP officer at polio eradication programme says, the Kochis (HRMP) are known for their higher risk of contracting and transmitting poliovirus due to their inter-province mobility.

&ldquo;HRMP influx starts in March, while the out-flux starts in October. The community comes from the warm parts of Southern Punjab, Bannu, Lakki Marwat, and various districts of Sindh through both formal and informal routes. Prior to vaccinating HRMP children, a proper mapping is carried out, and the motorcycle teams vaccinate HRMP children. Still, HRMP compromises the quality of the campaign,&quot; he explains.



Twin cases

Usman&#39; s story is not unique; he is the second unfortunate child in the same Sohrab Goth settlement diagnosed with poliovirus.

Another resident, Akhter Muhammad, had only two daughters after 12 years of marriage. That is until 2015, when he was blessed with twin sons. The boys&rsquo; grandmother intended to save them from &lsquo;evil eyes&rsquo; and kept them indoors most of the time. So when the vaccinators would show up in the area to administer anti-polio drops, she would not let them immunise the newborns. The health officials had recorded the parents as a &lsquo;silent refusal&rsquo;, because the twins had not received even a single dose of the anti-polio vaccine.

In 2017, saving the children from &lsquo;evil eye&rsquo; and misconceptions against vaccines resulted in the paralysis of one of the twins, then two-year-old Habibur Rehman. He is now battling a life-long disability.



Misconceptions

Misconceptions about vaccines are the main driving force behind the refusals, particularly in the rural communities. Both misconception and vaccination hesitancy have been identified as significant barriers in the way of polio eradication efforts. Numerous myths and misconceptions commonly echoed by people to justify their resistance lead to vaccine refusals and hesitancy in every nook and cranny of Balochistan.



In a study, published by Dr Muhammad Samsoor Zarak and other health experts in 2019 in the Eastern Mediterranean Health Journal (EMHJ) &ndash; an official journal by the WHO highlighted that misconceptions about the vaccine was the leading cause behind the refusal, accounting for 56.4% of cases. Additionally, 16% of refusals were based on religious grounds.

The frontline polio workers have bitter experiences while handling the chronic refusal parents and community elders as well. Halima is one of the thousands of frontline polio workers who has been associated with the polio eradication programme in Balochistan for the last couple of years, says that some people believe the vaccine carries &lsquo;unknown&rsquo; ingredients that may cause &lsquo;infertility&rsquo; and &lsquo;impotence&rsquo;. They term the entire campaign part of the &lsquo;family planning&rsquo; programme aimed at &#39;sterilising&rsquo; their children.



&ldquo;Some religious refusals are of the view that the anti-polio campaign is a &lsquo;Western conspiracy&rsquo; and demand proof of vaccine safety during vaccination. It has also been experienced that in certain areas, the conservative-minded religious scholars have ill-informed opinions against vaccines and during Friday&#39;s sermons, prohibit people from getting their children vaccinated,&rdquo; she reveals.

Countering misconceptions and debunking myths, the UNICEF-funded ComNet has hired communication officers and other staff across Balochistan for social mobilisation at the district level. Their key role is to minimise disinformation, build trust among the communities, provide a conducive environment to the frontline health workers and sensitise parents about the crippling nature of the poliovirus.



Decades-long history

Back in the 1980s, the World Health Assembly launched the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, setting the goal of eradicating polio by 2000. Pakistan carried out the first National Immunisation Days (NIDs) in 1994. The global initiatives and significant progress finally bore fruit; now poliovirus has been eradicated from all over the world, except from Pakistan and Afghanistan , which are the last two endemic countries.

Coordinator National Emergency Operation Center Captain (retd) Muhammad Anwarul Haq says the steps taken in neighboring Afghanistan regarding polio are worth emulating. &ldquo;Our goal is aligned. The NEOCs of both countries are in close coordination and contact to carry out synchronised campaigns in the coming months,&rdquo; he shares.



Other concerns

Beside the misconception and vaccine hesitancy, low vaccination coverage, security concerns, cultural and social barriers, scattered populations, inaccessibility and hard-to-reach areas, and population movement or migration are also contributing factors hindering the polio eradication efforts.

Like elsewhere in the country, indigenous wild poliovirus transmission also persists in Balochistan. The poverty-hit province forms 44 per cent of the total area of the country. Quetta bloc, comprising the provincial capital Quetta, Chaman, Killa Abdullah, Pishin, and Mastung districts, have been identified as high-risk areas for poliovirus circulation.

Dr Muhammad Samsoor Zarak, who is undergoing Internal Medicine Training at Northwest Medical Center in Arizona, US, has been associated with the World Health Organisation in Balochistan for a couple of years. He says the eradication of the poliovirus continues to face numerous challenges at the operational, systemic and geopolitical levels, affecting both polio workers and the effective execution of vaccination campaigns. Moreover, law and order issues significantly compromise the quality of anti-polio drives.

&ldquo;The YB3A genetic cluster of WPV1 (a specific type of polio virus) has been documented in both neighboring countries, Pakistan and Afghanistan. This strain was initially identified in Pakistan in 2021, eradicated, but later re-emerged from Afghanistan in 2024, indicating cross-border transmission,&rdquo; he highlights, adding that it is imperative for both governments to collaborate closely, develop concrete and unified plans to combat the virus. Regular meetings involving all stakeholders are essential for planning and monitoring the eradication efforts to ensure comprehensive and sustained results.



Health experts say a multi-dimensional and integrated approach with community engagement and social mobilisation can bear fruit in overcoming vaccine hesitancy and fostering acceptance of the polio vaccine. In addition to educating communities about the importance of polio vaccination, public awareness initiatives can also dispel myths in society and pave the way to completely eradicate polio from the country.

&ldquo;Overcoming the challenges of polio eradication in Pakistan and Afghanistan requires coordinated interventions, minimising parental misconceptions, strengthening vaccination infrastructure, addressing security concerns, managing cross-border migration, and enhancing bilateral cooperation. By tackling these issues head-on, we can move closer to a polio-free world,&rdquo; Dr Zarak suggests.

&nbsp;

Rafiullah Mandokhel is a Balochistan-based freelance journalist. He can be reached at: mandokhail.rafi@gmail.com

All facts and information are the sole responsibility of the author

&nbsp;]]>
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			<title>Polio cases rise to 37 in Pakistan after four fresh cases reported in K-P, Balochistan</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2503923/polio-cases-rise-to-37-in-pakistan-after-four-fresh-cases-reported-in-k-p-balochistan</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2503923/polio-cases-rise-to-37-in-pakistan-after-four-fresh-cases-reported-in-k-p-balochistan#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sat, 19 Oct 24 08:33:13 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[News Desk]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2503923</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Four new polio cases have been reported in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa]]>
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			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Four new cases of polio have been reported in Balochistan and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, bringing the total number of cases in Pakistan this year to 37.

Health authorities told a local news channel that a 30-month-old girl from Lakki Marwat, an 18-month-old girl from Pishin, a 9-month-old boy from Chaman, and a 5-year-old boy from Noshki have all been diagnosed with the disease.

According to officials, the number of polio cases in Balochistan now stands at 20, while Sindh has reported 10 cases. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has seen five cases, and Punjab and Islamabad have each confirmed one case.

With these new cases, health officials remain concerned about the ongoing spread of the virus despite vaccination efforts across the country.

Pakistan has recorded 37 polio cases in 2024 so far, indicating a concerning rise in infections, especially from provinces such as Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where the majority of cases have been reported.

According to the data by Pakistan Polio Eradication Programme, Balochistan has seen a surge with 20 cases, while Khyber Pakhtunkhwa recorded 10 cases. Sindh follows with 5 cases, and the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) reported one case.

The resurgence of polio in these regions comes despite continued vaccination efforts. In comparison to previous years, polio cases were as low as one in 2020, and zero cases were recorded in Punjab and Balochistan in 2023.



In terms of funding, $180 million was allocated for the National Polio Eradication Programme in 2022, which increased to $187 million in 2023. For the ongoing year, 2024, the programme has been allocated $80 million.

The Ministry of Health further emphasised that since January 2022, a total of $447 million has been spent on polio eradication efforts, highlighting the government&rsquo;s commitment to eliminating the disease from the country.]]>
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			<title>Pakistan’s polio crisis deepens as 33rd case reported from Quetta</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2502789/pakistans-polio-crisis-deepens-as-33rd-case-reported-from-quetta</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2502789/pakistans-polio-crisis-deepens-as-33rd-case-reported-from-quetta#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 14 Oct 24 16:08:17 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[News Desk]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2502789</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Balochistan remains the most affected province, with 17 cases reported thus far]]>
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				<![CDATA[Pakistan has reported another polio case in 2024, bringing the total to 33 this year after a child from Quetta was diagnosed with the virus.

The affected child showed symptoms of polio on August 22. Quetta has seen three polio cases, with 37 sewerage samples testing positive for the virus.

Additionally, the Quetta block has recorded 11 polio cases and 65 positive sewerage samples.

Balochistan remains the most affected province, with 17 cases reported. Sindh has recorded 10 cases, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa four, and one case each from Islamabad and Punjab.

On September 5, the National Institute of Health (NIH) presented detailed statistics on polio cases in Pakistan before the National Assembly.

The NIH reported a total of 45 polio cases across Pakistan over the past four years. In 2021, only one case was reported, while the number surged to 20 in 2022.

During 2023, eight new cases were recorded, followed by 16 cases in 2024, as confirmed by the Ministry of Health.

In terms of funding, $180 million was allocated for the National Polio Eradication Programme in 2022, which increased to $187 million in 2023. For the ongoing year, 2024, the programme has been allocated $80 million.

The Ministry of Health further emphasised that since January 2022, a total of $447 million has been spent on polio eradication efforts, highlighting the government&rsquo;s commitment to eliminating the disease from the country.]]>
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			<title>Three polio cases confirmed in Pakistan as vaccination drive continues</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2497696/three-polio-cases-confirmed-in-pakistan-as-vaccination-drive-continues</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2497696/three-polio-cases-confirmed-in-pakistan-as-vaccination-drive-continues#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sat, 21 Sep 24 08:28:22 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[News Desk]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2497696</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Ministry of Health confirms three new polio cases, bringing the total to 21 this year as eradication efforts ramp up.]]>
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			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[The Ministry of Health has confirmed the detection of three new polio cases in Pakistan, bringing the total number of cases this year to 21.

The newly reported cases have emerged in the provinces of Balochistan, Sindh, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, according to a statement from the Ministry.



WPV Polio Cases 2024 Across Districts in Pakistan

Ayesha Raza Farooq, the Prime Minister&rsquo;s Focal Person for Polio Eradication, expressed deep concern over the latest developments but reaffirmed the Government of Pakistan&rsquo;s commitment to eradicating the disease.

&ldquo;The Government is more determined than ever to rid the country of polio,&rdquo; she stated. Ayesha Raza highlighted the serious and practical measures being undertaken, including close collaboration with provincial governments to ensure coordinated efforts across the nation.

Ayesha Raza also pointed to the success of the first polio eradication campaign for the 2024-2025 season, during which 33 million children were vaccinated across 115 districts. She announced plans for further nationwide vaccination campaigns in October and December to curb the virus&rsquo;s spread.

As part of the ongoing efforts, a joint initiative between the Polio Eradication Initiative (PEI) and the Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI), called the &quot;Big Catch Up,&quot; aims to vaccinate all children who remain unvaccinated. &ldquo;We are leaving no child behind in our efforts,&rdquo; Ayesha Raza added.

The Ministry of Health reiterated its dedication to safeguarding the health of children and eradicating polio from the country once and for all.]]>
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			<title>Polio team attacked in Bajaur: Worker and security officer killed</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2495296/polio-team-attacked-in-bajaur-worker-and-security-officer-killed</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2495296/polio-team-attacked-in-bajaur-worker-and-security-officer-killed#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 11 Sep 24 10:42:48 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[News Desk]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2495296</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Unidentified assailants opened fire on the polio team while they were conducting a door-to-door vaccination drive.]]>
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				<![CDATA[A health&nbsp;worker and a police officer were killed on Tuesday in an armed attack on a polio vaccination team in the Mamund tehsil&nbsp;of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province&#39;s Bajaur district.

According to police reports, unidentified assailants opened fire on the polio team while they were conducting a door-to-door vaccination drive.

The attack claimed the lives of polio worker Abu Huraira, 25, and police officer Luqman, 33, who was providing security to the team.

Rescue personnel quickly arrived at the scene and transferred the bodies to District Hospital Khar.

Security forces launched a search operation in the area following the incident to apprehend the attackers.

Polio vaccination campaigns in the region have faced resistance and violence in the past, with health workers and security personnel often becoming targets of such attacks.

Earlier this year in January, at least five police officers were killed, and nearly two dozen others wounded when an explosive device targeted a polio vaccination drive in another attack in Bajaur.

The injured were rushed to local hospitals, while critically wounded officers were transferred to Peshawar, 133km (82 miles) south of Bajaur.



There has been no immediate claim of responsibility, but attacks on polio vaccination teams and security personnel are common in the region.

The Pakistan Taliban (TTP)&nbsp; terrorist group had&nbsp;previously targeted such efforts, opposing the vaccination drives due to misinformation and past CIA operations.

Polio vaccination efforts in Pakistan have faced significant resistance.

Pakistan and Afghanistan remain the only two countries where wild poliovirus type 1 (WPV-1) continues to be endemic.

Pakistan launched its first nationwide polio immunisation campaign of the year in January, aiming to vaccinate over 44 million children under five. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif inaugurated the campaign in Islamabad, reaffirming the government&rsquo;s commitment to eradicating polio.

This incident comes amid a rise in violent attacks in Pakistan, with more than 600 such incidents recorded in 2023, a 70% increase from the previous year, according to the Pakistan Institute of Conflict and Security Studies.]]>
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			<title>Islamabad reports first polio case in 16 years</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2494012/islamabad-reports-first-polio-case-in-16-years</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2494012/islamabad-reports-first-polio-case-in-16-years#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Fri, 06 Sep 24 07:03:46 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[News Desk]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2494012</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Latest case in Islamabad is the 17th case reported in Pakistan this year]]>
			</description>
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				<![CDATA[A polio case has been reported in Islamabad for the first time in 16 years, with health authorities confirming the virus in a child from Union Council 4. This marks the 17th case of polio in Pakistan this year.

&quot;Unfortunately, another Pakistani child has been affected by polio&quot; said Ayesha Raza Farooq, Prime Minister&#39;s Focal Person for Polio Eradication, expressing concern over the case.

She emphasized the government&#39;s commitment to controlling the spread of the virus, highlighting a comprehensive roadmap for eradication.

Moreover, Anwar Haq, Coordinator of the National Emergency Operations Centre, stated that efforts to deliver polio vaccines to every child are being intensified.

From September 9-13, the Polio Programme will launch a large-scale vaccination campaign across 115 districts to vaccinate 33 million children under the age of five.

Vaccinators will go door-to-door to deliver the oral polio vaccine (OPV), to reach children in hard-to-reach and underserved areas.

Ayesha Raza urged parents to ensure their children are vaccinated, emphasising that repeated doses of the OPV are essential to protect against the virus.

Previously, the Regional Reference Laboratory for Polio Eradication at the National Institute of Health confirmed that samples collected between August 13-20 from Attock, South Waziristan Lower, Tank, Peshawar, and six districts of Karachi contained the wild poliovirus type 1 (WPV1).

The virus has now spread to 64 districts across Pakistan, affecting all four provinces and one district in Azad Jammu Kashmir.



This year alone, WPV1 has paralysed 16 children, with the latest case reported in Hyderabad, where a 29-month-old child had been affected.

Despite efforts to eradicate the virus, polio continues to pose a significant threat.

The country has conducted four vaccination campaigns this year, but the persistence of WPV1 in environmental samples indicates inefficiencies in coverage and outreach.

The virus has disproportionately affected Balochistan, where 12 cases have been reported, followed by Sindh with three cases and Punjab with one.

The large-scale campaign starting on September 9 aims to address these gaps, reaching millions of children who remain vulnerable to polio.]]>
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			<title>Israel blocking polio vaccination efforts in eastern Gaza: Palestinian Health Ministry</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2493998/israel-blocking-polio-vaccination-efforts-in-eastern-gaza-palestinian-health-ministry</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2493998/israel-blocking-polio-vaccination-efforts-in-eastern-gaza-palestinian-health-ministry#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Fri, 06 Sep 24 05:49:03 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[News Desk]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[World]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2493998</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Gaza was declared a polio epidemic zone in late July, and a case of polio was confirmed on August 16]]>
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				<![CDATA[Israel has denied coordination for medical teams to administer polio vaccinations in areas east of Khan Younis in southern Gaza, according to Gaza&rsquo;s Health Ministry.

This region is home to a significant portion of the target population for the vaccination campaign.

The ministry has urged immediate intervention from relevant organizations to ensure the vaccination campaign&rsquo;s success and reach all children in need.

The second phase of the polio vaccination campaign began on Thursday in Khan Younis, targeting children under ten. Dr. Abdul Hadi Seyam reported strong parental interest in the vaccination effort, with medical teams working diligently despite the challenging conditions.

Gaza was declared a polio epidemic zone in late July, and a case of polio was confirmed on August 16. The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported additional cases of suspected polio-related paralysis.

Polio vaccination rates in Gaza had been high, around 99% in 2022, but have dropped below 90% in early 2024. Human Rights Watch has criticized Israel for blocking urgent aid and destroying infrastructure, which it warns could exacerbate the polio outbreak.

The ongoing conflict in Gaza has resulted in severe humanitarian crises.

The International Court of Justice is currently addressing allegations of genocide against Israel, which has faced international criticism for its actions since the start of the war on October 7.

According to Gaza&rsquo;s Health Ministry, the conflict has caused extensive casualties, with significant loss of life and displacement of civilians.

Israel has reported casualties among its soldiers and civilians during the conflict, while the humanitarian situation in Gaza continues to deteriorate, with widespread famine and mass displacement.]]>
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			<title>Israeli strikes kill dozens in Gaza as Polio campaign launched</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2492688/israeli-strikes-kill-dozens-in-gaza-as-polio-campaign-launched</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2492688/israeli-strikes-kill-dozens-in-gaza-as-polio-campaign-launched#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sun, 01 Sep 24 06:15:01 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[REUTERS]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[World]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2492688</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[UN to start vaccinating some 640,000 children in territory against polio while relying on eight-hour fighting pauses]]>
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				<![CDATA[Israeli strikes on Saturday killed at least 48 people in the Gaza Strip, Palestinian health authorities said, as clashes took place in central and southern areas of the enclave ahead of the planned start of a polio vaccination campaign.

The&nbsp;United Nations&nbsp;is due to start vaccinating some 640,000 children in the territory against polio, relying on daily eight-hour pauses in fighting between Israeli forces and Hamas militants in specific areas of the besieged enclave.

Yousef Abu Al-Reesh, Gaza&#39;s deputy minister of health, said vaccination teams would try to get to as many areas as possible to ensure wide coverage but he said only a comprehensive ceasefire could guarantee enough children are reached.

&quot;If the international community truly wants this campaign to succeed, it should call for a ceasefire, knowing that this virus does not stop, and can reach anywhere,&quot; he told reporters at Nasser Hospital in the southern city of Khan Younis.

On Saturday, medics administered vaccines on some of the children at Nasser Hospital wards in a symbolic move before the official campaign begins.

The campaign follows confirmation last week that a baby was partially paralysed by the&nbsp;type 2 polio virus, the first such case in the territory in 25 years.

WHO officials say at least 90% of the children need to be vaccinated twice with four weeks between doses for the campaign to succeed, but it faces huge challenges in Gaza, which has been largely destroyed by nearly 11 months of war.

On Saturday, as more than 2,000 medical and community workers prepared for the start of the campaign, medics in Nuseirat, one of the Gaza Strip&#39;s eight historic refugee camps, medics said separate Israeli strikes killed at least 19 people, including nine members of the same family.

More than 30 other people were killed in a series of strikes in other areas of Gaza, medics said.

Residents and militant sources said fighters from Hamas, the Islamic Jihad, and other groups fought against Israeli forces in the northern Gaza Zeitoun neighborhood, where tanks have been operating for days, and in Rafah, near the border with Egypt.

The Israeli military said in a statement it continued to operate in the central and southern Gaza Strip. It said troops killed militants and dismantled military infrastructure in Gaza City, while they located weapons and killed gunmen in Tel Al-Sultan in western Rafah.

In Khan Younis, in the southern Gaza Strip, families returned to their areas after the army ended a 22-day offensive it said was aimed at preventing Hamas from regrouping. Footage showed large areas were flattened, and buildings and infrastructure were destroyed.

Medics said they recovered at least nine bodies from the area where the army operated.

The latest episode in the decades-old Israeli-Palestinian conflict was triggered on Oct. 7 when Hamas fighters attacked Israel, killing 1,200 and taking about 250 hostages, according to Israeli tallies.

Israel&#39;s subsequent assault on the Hamas-governed enclave has since killed more than 40,600 Palestinians, according to the local health ministry. Nearly the entire Gaza population of 2.3 million has been displaced and the enclave has a hunger crisis. Israel faces genocide allegations at the World Court that it denies.

In the occupied West Bank, Israel forces pushed on with a military&nbsp;operation&nbsp;in the city of Jenin. Drones and helicopters circled overhead while the sound of sporadic firing could be heard in the city.]]>
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			<title>Polio claims life of 23-month-old in Balochistan’s Kharan</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2489757/polio-claims-life-of-23-month-old-in-balochistans-kharan</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2489757/polio-claims-life-of-23-month-old-in-balochistans-kharan#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 21 Aug 24 05:50:49 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[News Desk]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2489757</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[This is the 12th polio case in Balochistan and the 15th in Pakistan in 2024.]]>
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			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[A 23 month old girl from Kharan district in Balochistan has died after contracting wild poliovirus type 1 (WPV1), health officials reported on Tuesday.

This marks the 12th polio case in Balochistan and the 15th in Pakistan for 2024.

The child, who was from Union Council South City-A in Kharan, developed a high-grade fever and paralysis in her lower limbs and neck muscles on 31 July 2024.

Her family initially sought treatment from a local healthcare provider before taking her to a private hospital on 7 August, where she was identified as an Acute Flaccid Paralysis (AFP) case.

Despite efforts to treat her, the girl passed away on 19 August at a hospital in Quetta.

Officials from the Polio Eradication Initiative (PEI) are currently verifying her vaccination history, including her participation in routine immunisation with the Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV), Inactivated Polio Vaccine (IPV), and Supplementary Immunisation Activities (SIAs).

&quot;This tragic case underscores the persistent risk of polio in Pakistan, especially in regions like Balochistan where healthcare access and vaccination coverage are limited,&quot; a PEI official stated.

The official also noted that Balochistan has been experiencing an intense outbreak of WPV1 following disruptions to vaccination campaigns last year.

Ayesha Raza Farooq, the Prime Minister&rsquo;s Focal Person on Polio Eradication, emphasised the urgency of enhancing immunisation efforts to protect vulnerable children.

&quot;We are working closely with provincial teams to strategise on reaching missed children and strengthening routine immunisation,&quot; she said, adding that preparations are underway for a vaccination campaign in early September.

The campaign will be synchronised with a similar effort in Afghanistan to ensure enhanced immunity across the cross-border region, according to Anwarul Haq, Coordinator of the National Emergency Operations Center.]]>
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			<title>Two more children crippled by poliovirus</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2475037/two-more-children-crippled-by-poliovirus</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2475037/two-more-children-crippled-by-poliovirus#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Fri, 28 Jun 24 23:17:33 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Our Correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2475037</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[The latest poliovirus cases take the tally to 8 in the country during the ongoing year]]>
			</description>
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				<![CDATA[Two more children, a boy and a girl, were crippled by poliovirus in Sindh and Balochistan. The latest poliovirus cases take the tally to 8 in the country during the ongoing year.

The affected children include two-year-old boy, a resident of Qilla Abdullah, and three-year-old girl, a resident of Kemari, Karachi. They were tested for poliovirus after symptoms of paralysis appeared on May 22 and June 3. The samples returned positive for YB3A poliovirus cluster.

Aisha Raza Faraooq, the PM&rsquo;s focal person, said the poliovirus cases are being reported frequently in the country, representing a threat to children.

&nbsp;]]>
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			<title>Shehbaz, Gates commit to eradicating polio</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2473722/shehbaz-gates-commit-to-eradicating-polio</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2473722/shehbaz-gates-commit-to-eradicating-polio#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 24 Jun 24 22:59:51 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[APP]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2473722</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[PM says federal, provincial governments resolve to control the menace]]>
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				<![CDATA[Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Monday reiterated the government&rsquo;s resolve to eradicate the menace of polio from the country during a meeting of National Task Force on Polio Eradication attended by Bill Gates and officials of the Gates Foundation other than ministers, senior officials and relevant authorities.

The prime minister assured Bill Gates that the government was fully committed to continuing its efforts to protect the lives of children and make them healthier. Shehbaz Sharif also stressed that they would have to act swiftly to produce results in the coming days and months.

The prime minister said that the polio eradication campaign in the country was progressing positively and they were close to eradicate polio but unfortunately things turned negative as the virus returned back in certain parts of Pakistan. However, he asserted that it did not show that they had failed in their efforts.

All the newly formed federal and provincial governments had completely resolved that they would spare no efforts to control the menace, he added.

Recalling his meeting with Bill Gates in Riyadh on the sidelines of World Economic Forum (WEF), the prime minister said that they had held comprehensive discussions on polio eradication and health-related issues of Pakistan. Lauding the Foundation&rsquo;s efforts and donations for the polio eradication campaigns and for lifting of sufferings of humanity, he said that Pakistan had been a beneficiary of its financial support over malnutrition, and mother and child healthcare issues.

In the polio eradication campaigns, Gates&rsquo; cooperation and support had been consistent in the last many years to the tunes of millions of dollars, he added. The prime minister said that investment in the polio eradication programmes in Pakistan had been significant as it stood at $240 million in 2022, $263 million in 2023, and $297 million during the year.

Expressing gratitude to Bill Gates for support over the digitization of Federal Board of Revenue, Shehbaz Sharif said that there were other areas of cooperation between Pakistan and the Foundation, including the digitization of education and health sectors.

He also reassured that the government would utilize all its resources for polio eradication and he would hold regular meetings with the provincial governments and all the stakeholders in that regard. The prime minister also welcomed Bill Gates and his team to visit Pakistan on behalf of the people, the government and the provincial authorities.

Speaking on the occasion, Bill Gates said that they were committed in its efforts to eradicate polio from Pakistan and address other health related issues, including malnutrition, and mother and child health.]]>
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			<title>Heightened polio threat</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2468764/heightened-polio-threat</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2468764/heightened-polio-threat#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 28 May 24 21:08:43 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[editorial]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Editorial]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2468764</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[TAG for polio eradication expresses deep concerns about alarming resurgence of polio in Pakistan]]>
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				<![CDATA[The Technical Advisory Group (TAG) for polio eradication has recently expressed deep concerns about the alarming resurgence of polio in Pakistan. Data presented at a TAG meeting in Qatar highlighted that Pakistan&rsquo;s polio situation is now worse than that of the war-torn Afghanistan. This is a troubling and disheartening regression from the progress made in 2021.

The resurgence of the poliovirus in key areas such as Quetta, Karachi and the Peshawar-Khyber region signifies a significant setback for Pakistan&rsquo;s public health efforts. Despite conducting four polio vaccination campaigns, the country has failed to achieve the desired results, indicating severe inefficiencies and underlying issues within the current polio eradication programme. This situation is not just a public health crisis but also a national embarrassment. It is clear that the current approach is not yielding the expected outcomes, necessitating a comprehensive review and overhaul. The government must also ensure that adequate resources are allocated for polio eradication. This includes not only financial support but also political will and administrative commitment. Nigeria, once a hotspot for polio, achieved polio-free status in 2020. Nigeria&rsquo;s success stemmed from strong community engagement, extensive use of local health workers and high-level political commitment. Experts like Dr Faisal Shuaib, who led Nigeria&rsquo;s National Primary Health Care Development Agency, could provide crucial guidance.

The resurgence of the virus in key areas is a concerning reminder that the current strategies are falling short. Now, more than ever, a new, more effective approach is crucial. By re-evaluating existing campaigns and tapping into international expertise, Pakistan needs to turn the tide against polio. It needs to be realised that is not just a fight against a disease, but a fight for the future of our children.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 29th, 2024.

Like Opinion &amp; Editorial on Facebook, follow @ETOpEd on Twitter to receive all updates on all our daily pieces.

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			<title>Third polio case of 2024 reported</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2468315/third-polio-case-of-2024-reported</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2468315/third-polio-case-of-2024-reported#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sun, 26 May 24 04:44:20 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Our Correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2468315</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Wild Polio type WPV1 was detected in test samples collected from a child in Killa Abdullah]]>
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			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[The third polio case of the year -- 2024 -- has been reported from Killa Abdullah district of Balochistan.
According to the Regional Reference Laboratory for Polio at the National Institute of Health, wild polio virus type 1 (WPV1) was detected in stool samples collected from a child in Darozai union council of Killa Abdullah, who developed symptoms of paralysis on April 20.

Genetic sequencing of the isolated virus is underway. &ldquo;It is incredibly tragic that another child has been affected by polio this year in Balochistan,&rdquo; said Coordinator to the Prime Minister on National Health Services Dr Malik Mukhtar Ahmed Bharath.

He added that polio is a terrible illness that changes not just the child&rsquo;s life but also of the whole family. He said, &ldquo;The government is bringing the polio vaccine to our citizens&rsquo; doorsteps in multiple polio vaccination rounds.&rdquo;

Read&nbsp;Polio virus detected in four environmental samples

&ldquo;I urge families to understand the risk this disease poses to children and make sure that they vaccinate all their children under the age of five when the polio worker shows up to their homes.&rdquo;

Dr Shahzad Baig, Coordinator of the National Emergency Operations Centre for Polio Eradication, said that a detailed case investigation will be launched immediately to identify the origins of the virus, find populations that may have missed vaccination and take corrective measures to contain its spread.&rdquo;

&ldquo;We have already conducted four polio vaccination campaigns this year, including two nationwide campaigns to boost children&rsquo;s immunity and we will be conducting another campaign in June,&rdquo; he added.

This is the third polio case from Balochistan this year and the first reported from Killa Abdullah after three years.

Last year, six polio cases were reported in the country, four from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and two from Karachi.]]>
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			<title>Polio virus detected in four environmental samples</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2465790/polio-virus-detected-in-four-environmental-samples</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2465790/polio-virus-detected-in-four-environmental-samples#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Thu, 09 May 24 05:36:47 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[APP]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2465790</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[NIH warns of significant threat to children under five, highlighting risk of lifelong physical disability]]>
			</description>
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				<![CDATA[The National Institute of Health (NIH) said on Wednesday that four new environmental samples had tested positive for wild poliovirus type 1 (WPV1), bringing the total number of positive samples this year to 112.

The four new samples were collected from Karachi and Pishin district in Balochistan province and were genetically linked to the imported YB3A cluster of WPV1.

This cluster had been responsible for all positive samples and two human cases reported in Pakistan this year, private news channels reported.

Read Polio eradication drive inaugurated

The NIH warned that the virus posed a significant threat to children under the age of five, who could be infected with a lifelong physical disability.

The health ministry has urged parents to ensure their children receive the polio vaccine during every immunization campaign to defeat the disease.

The NIH has implemented an integrated strategy in high-risk areas to combat polio, and the government has reiterated its commitment to eradicating the disease from the country]]>
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			<title>Dr Shahzad makes it to Time’s 100 influential people in health</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2465138/dr-shahzad-makes-it-to-times-100-influential-people-in-health</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2465138/dr-shahzad-makes-it-to-times-100-influential-people-in-health#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sat, 04 May 24 08:52:28 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Our Correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2465138</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Doctor recognized in 'TIME100 Health' for 'front line' efforts in polio eradication]]>
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				<![CDATA[Dr. Shahzad Baig, the national coordinator of Pakistan&#39;s Polio Eradication Programme, earned a spot on Time magazine&#39;s prestigious list of &#39;TIME100 Health&#39; based on his efforts in polio eradication in the country and the global fight against the disease.

&quot;TIME100 Health is a community of leaders from across industries&mdash;scientists, doctors, advocates, educators, and policy-makers, among others&mdash;dedicated to creating tangible, credible change for a healthier population,&quot; noted TIME.

Jeffrey Kluger, Editor at Large for Time magazine underscored Dr Baig&#39;s impact in his profile, citing a remarkable decline in polio cases since he assumed leadership.

The magazine said that despite facing challenges such as extremist threats against polio workers, &quot;Dr Baig remained undeterred in his mission&quot;. &quot;....Baig has declared that the days of extremists driving out polio workers are over.&quot;

Before being put in charge of Pakistan&#39;s polio eradication programme, Dr Baig contributed significantly to Nigeria&#39;s successful eradication of polio as a technical adviser.

The TIME&#39;s editor added that under Dr Baig&#39;s guidance Nigeria &quot;succeeded spectacularly&quot; in achieving polio-free status in 2020. Time projects Pakistan to be the next to rid itself of the debilitating disease. &quot;If Baig has his way, Pakistan will be the next,&quot; said Kluger.

Read Week-long polio campaign begins tomorrow

The feature piece maintained that since Baig assumed the position in 2021 the case counts plummeted, with only six children stricken in 2023. &quot;The goal is to bring that number to zero by 2026,&quot; added the editor.
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According to Kluger, under Baig&#39;s leadership, &quot;The government has deployed 400,000 vaccinators and 80,000 security personnel to inoculate more than 90 million children this year alone, with another 24 million to come in a springtime vaccination drive.&quot;

The Pakistan Polio Eradication Programme lauded Dr Baig&#39;s inclusion in the TIME100 HEALTH list.]]>
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			<title>Jail for refusing immunisation</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2464510/jail-for-refusing-immunisation</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2464510/jail-for-refusing-immunisation#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 29 Apr 24 19:05:55 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Our Correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sindh]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2464510</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Hyderabad Deputy Commissioner issued warning on Monday in light of Sindh Immunization and Epidemics Control Act, 2023]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Parents refusing immunisation of their children against polio will be punished with up to one month imprisonment and Rs50,000 fine, read an official notification issued by the Hyderabad district administration on Monday. Hyderabad Deputy Commissioner Tariq Qureshi issued warning on Monday in the light of Sindh Immunization and Epidemics Control Act, 2023. An official, requesting anonymity, told that cases of refusal surface not only from the neighbourhoods populated by poor people in Hyderabad but also from the posh areas.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 30th, 2024.]]>
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			<title>CM inaugurates week-long anti-polio drive</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2464511/cm-inaugurates-week-long-anti-polio-drive-1</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2464511/cm-inaugurates-week-long-anti-polio-drive-1#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 29 Apr 24 19:05:56 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Our Correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sindh]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2464511</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Urges parents to protect their children from the virus by providing them with oral polio vaccines]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah on Monday inaugurated the week-long anti-polio campaign across Sindh by administering polio drops to children at the newly established Gulshan Akakhel in Gadap.

Speaking at the event, the chief minister urged parents to protect their children from the crippling virus by providing them with oral polio vaccines.

&quot;Together, as a community, let us forge a path towards a polio-free environment, securing a healthier future for our children,&quot; he stated.

Sindh Health Minister Dr Azra Fazal Pechuho, Secretary Health Rehan Baloch, Provincial Coordinator Irshad Sodhar, Rotary International National Chair Aziz Memon, WHO delegate Dr Asif Zardari, and others attended the ceremony.

The anti-polio drive aims to vaccinate approximately 8 million children under the age of 5 against the disease across the province.

Reportedly, over 62,000 front-line workers will be deployed throughout the province to ensure that every eligible child receives this life-saving vaccine.

Meanwhile, almost 4,000 security personnel will be present at the vaccine camps.

The CM urged all schools, hospitals, and caregivers to welcome vaccinators and health workers, acknowledging their frontline role in the battle against this debilitating disease.

Addressing the occasion, Sindh Health minister Dr Azra Fazal Pechuho emphasised that the campaign was crucial to halt the alarming trend of positive environmental samples in Sindh and all over Pakistan, which threatens the health of children.

Recent reports have identified 11 positive environmental samples from various sites in Sindh, highlighting the urgency of this vaccination drive.

&quot;Pakistan and Afghanistan remain the two remaining endemic countries, making it critical to interrupt virus transmission in this epidemiological block to eradicate polio&quot;, the minister said.

Despite security challenges and persistent virus clusters, efforts are ongoing to ensure the vaccination of every child.

Acknowledging the pivotal role of the media in disseminating critical information, CM Murad urged journalists and community leaders to rally support for the ongoing anti-polio campaign, echoing the endorsement of medical experts and religious scholars who advocate for the safety and efficacy of the oral polio vaccine.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 30th, 2024.

&nbsp;]]>
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				    <img src="https://i.tribune.com.pk/media/images/vaccinator-administers-polio-vaccine-to-a-child-in1714419526-0/vaccinator-administers-polio-vaccine-to-a-child-in1714419526-0.jpeg" class="featured_image"/>
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			<title>Polio eradication drive inaugurated</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2464132/polio-eradication-drive-inaugurated</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2464132/polio-eradication-drive-inaugurated#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Fri, 26 Apr 24 20:26:11 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Our Correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Khyber Pakhtunkhwa]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2464132</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Over 4.42 million children under the age of five are set to receive polio drops]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa&#39;s Health Minister, Syed Qasim Ali Shah, officially commenced the polio eradication campaign by personally administering polio drops to a child at the Police Services Hospital Peshawar. In a briefing with journalists, he emphasized the inclusive approach of the campaign, involving pediatricians, religious figures, political leaders, and other stakeholders to ensure its success.

Preparations for the five-day Sub-National Immunization Days (SNIDs) campaign, spanning selected districts, have been meticulously finalized in two phases starting April 29. Over 4.42 million children under the age of five are set to receive polio drops, marking a concerted effort to safeguard their health and combat the spread of the disease.

&ldquo;During the first phase of this campaign, which will be carried out from April 29 to May 3, polio drops will be administered to approximately 2.83 million children,&rdquo; he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 27th, 2024.

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			<title>Secretary inspects anti-polio drive</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2462489/secretary-inspects-anti-polio-drive</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2462489/secretary-inspects-anti-polio-drive#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sat, 13 Apr 24 23:19:27 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Our Correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Balochistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2462489</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Minister Qasim Shah highlighted the significant responsibility falling on parents of unvaccinated children]]>
			</description>
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				<![CDATA[Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) Health Secretary Mehmood Aslam Wazir visited various designated polio vaccination spots during Eid and inspected the ongoing inoculation process. He visited various toll plazas and check posts to witness the vaccination process of children.

He also listened to the problems of polio workers and assured them of cooperation. Stressing upon workers to realize their responsibilities in the national cause of polio eradication, he directed them to be vigilant to inoculate children who may have missed vaccination due to their travel from one place to another. The Health Secretary also urged transporters to cooperate with polio workers deputed at toll plazas and check posts for vaccination.

In Ghura Bakhail, Bannu district, where three polio cases had been detected recently, around 30 per cent of children still need to be vaccinated.

This was revealed at a meeting held under the leadership of Health Minister Qasim Ali Shah, titled &lsquo;Reaching the Unreached&rsquo;, organized under the auspices of the Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) and the Polio Eradication Initiative (PEI).

The briefing, organised by ACASUS, focused on collaboration efforts in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. Attending the meeting were Special Secretary Health for Polio Eradication Abdul Basit, Director General Health Services Dr Shaukat Ali, Deputy Director Provincial Emergency Operations Centre Zeeshan and personnel from all district Emergency Operation Centres who participated online.

Minister Qasim Shah highlighted the significant responsibility falling on parents of unvaccinated children. The parents, he said, lacked sufficient awareness on the issue which posed a risk to the entire nation, adding that such awareness was essential to avoid international sanctions.

The federal government will be engaged in discussions regarding these issues, he observed.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 14th, 2024.]]>
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			<title>Poliovirus detected in environmental samples</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2460182/poliovirus-detected-in-environmental-samples</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2460182/poliovirus-detected-in-environmental-samples#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Fri, 22 Mar 24 16:29:17 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Our Correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2460182</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Presence of the poliovirus confirmed in five districts across country]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[The presence of the poliovirus has been confirmed in environmental samples collected from five districts across the country, raising concerns over the resurgence of the debilitating disease.

Samples analysed at the anti-polio laboratory established in the National Institute of Health (NIH) revealed the presence of the virus.

The specimens from Kemari in Karachi, gathered between March 4 and 5, exhibited poliovirus contamination. Among these, two environmental samples from Hyderabad, Multan, Quetta, and Faisalabad respectively also tested positive for the virus.

The identified strain, known as poliovirus genetic cluster YB3A, had been eradicated from Pakistan in 2021 but resurfaced after crossing the border from Afghanistan into Pakistan in January 2023.

Federal Secretary Health Iftikhar Ali Shallwani said the virus was so severe that it could potentially cause lifelong disability in children. He stressed the critical importance of administering multiple doses of the polio vaccine to children to safeguard against the disease.

Read also:&nbsp;A day in the life of a polio worker

He urged parents to cooperate with polio workers and ensure their children receive both the vaccine and complete their immunisation course. This, he highlighted, strengthens their immunity against the infection.

The Pakistan Polio Eradication Program has launched extensive vaccination campaigns, covering over 43 million children under the age of five in January and exceeding 45 million children in February.

As part of ongoing efforts, more than 80 million children are slated for vaccination across 26 districts starting March 25, with further campaigns planned for April.

Despite vaccination initiatives, the country has reported two polio cases and detected 71 positive environmental samples thus far in the current year.]]>
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			<title>Persistent polio threat</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2459664/persistent-polio-threat</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2459664/persistent-polio-threat#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sun, 17 Mar 24 21:01:17 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Editorial]]></category>
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				<![CDATA[The battle against polio demands unwavering dedication and vigilance from all stakeholders, particularly parents]]>
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				<![CDATA[The recent announcement of a polio case surfacing in Dera Bugti district of Balochistan has cast a somber shadow over Pakistan&rsquo;s ongoing efforts to eradicate the crippling disease.

A 30-month-old boy has been paralysed by wild poliovirus type 1, a stark reminder that despite persistent endeavours, the threat of polio still looms large. As health officials express their concerns and strategise response measures, it is imperative for the nation to rally together in combating this persistent menace.

Federal Health Secretary Iftikhar Ali Shallwani aptly encapsulates the gravity of the situation, emphasising that until the virus is completely eradicated, our children, as well as those worldwide, remain vulnerable to polio.

The battle against polio demands unwavering dedication and vigilance from all stakeholders, particularly parents who play a pivotal role in ensuring their children are immunised against the disease. With environmental samples already testing positive for the virus in Dera Bugti, swift action is imperative to contain its dissemination.

Pakistan&rsquo;s commitment to eradicating polio is evidenced by the extensive vaccination campaigns undertaken, reaching millions of children across the country. However, as this recent case shows, the battle is far from over. Every instance of polio transmission serves as a stark reminder of the need for continued vigilance and robust immunisation efforts.

The significance of community engagement cannot be overstated. Beyond governmental initiatives, grassroots mobilisation and community participation are crucial in ensuring the success of vaccination campaigns and promoting awareness about the importance of immunisation.

While the detection of the first polio case in 2024 is undoubtedly a setback, it should serve as a catalyst for renewed determination and resolve. Pakistan has made significant strides in its polio eradication efforts, and this setback should not deter but rather galvanise our collective resolve to eliminate the disease once and for all.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 18th, 2024
Like Opinion &amp; Editorial on Facebook, follow @ETOpED on Twitter to receive all updates on all on our daily pieces.]]>
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			<title>Anti-polio drive to begin from March 25</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2459593/anti-polio-drive-to-begin-from-march-25</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2459593/anti-polio-drive-to-begin-from-march-25#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sun, 17 Mar 24 04:58:17 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Our Correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2459593</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[More than 8.2 million children will be vaccinated]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[The federal government has decided to launch a special anti-polio drive in Sindh, Punjab and Balochistan which would continue from March 25-28.

Sources told Express News that the campaign will be launched in districts with positive sewage samples.

The drive will continue in 26 districts, including eight districts in Sindh, seven in Punjab and 11 districts in Balochistan where more than 8.2 million children will be vaccinated.

The anti-polio drive will commence in certain areas of Faisalabad, Khairpur and Kasur. It will be carried out in Ghotki, Jacobabad, Kashmore, Khairpur, Sukkur, Larkana, Shikarpur, Qambar, Dera Ghazi Khan, Multan, Rajanpur, Okara and Rahim Yar Khan.

The campaign will also be initiated in Dera Bugti, Usta Muhammad, Sibi, Hub, Chaman, Khuzdar, Kech, Lasbela, Sohbatpur, Naseerabad and Jaffarabad.]]>
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			<title>Authority declares 7 Pindi UCs polio sensitive</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2459543/authority-declares-7-pindi-ucs-polio-sensitive</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2459543/authority-declares-7-pindi-ucs-polio-sensitive#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sat, 16 Mar 24 17:54:25 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Jamil Mirza]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2459543</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Results of three environmental samples declared negative]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[After the confirmation of poliovirus in children in different parts of the country, the Rawalpindi District Health Authority has declared seven union councils (UCs) adjacent to the boundary of Islamabad as a red zone for polio.

The move follows the confirmation of poliovirus in environmental samples taken from 10 places in Sindh, Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Special teams have been constituted for door-to-door verifications that no child has missed the polio vaccination drops. Those, who have yet to receive polio drops, will be administered the polio vaccine immediately.

Sources in the DHA said that seven UCs, which are connected to the entry points of Rawalpindi, have been declared a red zone regarding polio. The dispensaries established under the UNICEF and the Bill Gates Foundation have also been included in the process of verifying the administration of polio drops to children during door-to-door visits in the red zone. Open drainage has also been found in these seven UCs.

DHA Chief Executive Dr Ijaz Ahmed says that during the polio eradication campaign, every effort is made to ensure that no child misses the polio vaccination drops. Despite this, a recheck has been initiated in seven UCs and polio drops are being administered.

He said that the results of three environmental samples sent by the DHA in February this year were declared negative, while the results of three other samples sent in March have not yet been received.

However, as a precautionary measure, the UCs have been declared the red zone because of the presence of open drainage and frequent visitors from K-P and Balochistan, Dr Ijaz added.]]>
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			<title>K-P CM launches second phase of polio drive</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2458291/k-p-cm-launches-second-phase-of-polio-drive</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2458291/k-p-cm-launches-second-phase-of-polio-drive#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sun, 03 Mar 24 19:08:38 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Our Correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Khyber Pakhtunkhwa]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2458291</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[CM paid tribute to the security personnel and polio workers who lost their lives]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister, Ali Amin Khan Gandapur, took a significant step on Sunday by launching the second phase of the anti-polio vaccination drive in the province. The ceremony, held at the Chief Minister House in Peshawar, marked the official commencement of the campaign, with Gandapur himself administering anti-polio drops to children in attendance.

The second phase of the vaccination drive began on March 3 and will run until March 7, covering Peshawar, Mardan, Kohat, Bannu, and Dera Ismail Khan Divisions, excluding Dera Ismail Khan and Lakki Marwat districts, which were already covered in the first phase. Additionally, immunization efforts in Malakand and Hazara divisions, disrupted by heavy rain and snowfall, are scheduled to resume on March 5 and continue until March 9, 2024.

During this campaign, a total of 7.4 million children will receive anti-polio drops across the province. To ensure the success and safety of the campaign, 35,000 anti-polio teams have been deployed, accompanied by approximately 55,000 security personnel to provide protection.

Addressing the gathering, Chief Minister Gandapur paid tribute to the security personnel and polio workers who lost their lives in previous anti-polio campaigns, hailing them as national heroes for their dedication to safeguarding the future of children. He reaffirmed the government&rsquo;s commitment to eradicating the polio virus from the province, emphasizing that this effort is a national cause requiring collaboration from all stakeholders.

Gandapur urged parents to prioritize their children&rsquo;s health by ensuring they receive the polio vaccine and discouraged any boycott of the immunization campaign due to perceived deficiencies in facilities. He emphasized that providing basic amenities is the government&rsquo;s responsibility, and steps will be taken to ensure their availability to the public.

Furthermore, the Chief Minister called upon religious scholars, media, and elected representatives to play a vital role in raising awareness about the importance of the anti-polio vaccine for securing the future of children.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 4th, 2024.]]>
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			<title>Balochistan reports first polio case in 3 years</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2459405/balochistan-reports-first-polio-case-in-3-years</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2459405/balochistan-reports-first-polio-case-in-3-years#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Fri, 15 Mar 24 05:35:07 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Syed Ali Shah]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2459405</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Victim, a two-and-a-half-year-old child, hails from Dera Bugti]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[In a concerning development, Balochistan has reported its first polio case in three years, as confirmed by health department sources.

The victim, a two-and-a-half-year-old child hailing from the Dera Bugti district of Balochistan, tested positive for the poliovirus, raising alarms within the province.

Health department sources disclosed that test samples were collected from the child on Feb 22 with subsequent analysis confirming the presence of the debilitating virus.

This marks the first polio case reported in Balochistan for the year 2024.The last recorded instance of polio in Quetta dates back to February 2021, originating from Qila Abdullah. However, the recent detection signals a re-emergence of the virus, highlighting potential gaps in vaccination coverage and surveillance.

Read&nbsp;Polio challenge

Disturbingly, health department sources revealed the presence of the poliovirus in environmental samples from Quetta since August of the preceding year.

This discovery starkly contrasts with the two-and-a-half years of poliovirus absence from environmental samples until August 2023, underlining a concerning regression in the region&#39;s eradication efforts.

In response to the resurgence, the health department announced a targeted polio campaign slated to commence on March 24 across nine districts of Quetta. The initiative aims to swiftly contain the spread of the virus and bolster vaccination efforts within the community.

The reappearance of polio in Quetta serves as a stark reminder of the persistent challenges faced in eradicating the disease entirely. The authorities have been urged to intensify immunisation drives and enhance surveillance measures to prevent further outbreaks and safeguard public health.]]>
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			<title>Mardan polio team attack injures cop</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2458509/mardan-polio-team-attack-injures-cop</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2458509/mardan-polio-team-attack-injures-cop#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 05 Mar 24 21:11:22 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Hidayatur Rehman]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Balochistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2458509</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Polio team in Mardan district of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa sustained critical bullet injury]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[A police constable deployed on the security of polio team in Mardan district of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa sustained critical bullet injury in an attack on polio team on Tuesday.

Police told The Express Tribune that the constable identified as Zohar was seriously injured when unidentified terrorists opened fire on him in Takhat Bhai.

However, polio team remained unhurt in the attack and the attackers managed to escape after committing the crime. 

Upon receiving information, Rescue 1122 ambulance and medical team reached the spot and shifted the injured cop to THQ Hospital from where he was referred to MMC for specialized treatment.

Chief Minister Ali Amin Khan Gandapur on Sunday formally launched the second phase of anti-polio vaccination drive in the province by administering anti-polio drops to kids.

A ceremony, in this regard, was held here at Chief Minister House Peshawar with Gandapur as chief guest. 

The second phase of vaccination, kicked off on March 3 which will continue till March 7, in Peshawar, Mardan, Kohat, Bannu, and Dera Ismail Khan Divisions except Dera Ismail Khan and Lakki Marwat districts as these districts have already been covered in the first phase of the campaign. 

Published in The Express Tribune, March 6th, 2024.

&nbsp;]]>
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			<title>Polio detected in 30 samples since Dec</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2455417/polio-detected-in-30-samples-since-dec</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2455417/polio-detected-in-30-samples-since-dec#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sun, 04 Feb 24 04:49:50 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Razya Khan]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2455417</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[One third of samples tested positive for crippling disease collected from Karachi]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Since December last year, Type-1 Wild Poliovirus has been detected in 30 environmental samples collected from various parts of the country.

Over one third of the samples tested positive for the disease were collected from Karachi.

According to a detailed statement issued by the Regional Reference Laboratory for Polio Eradication at the National Institute of Health (NIH), 28 of these samples were collected in Jan 2024, while two in Dec 2023.

Five of these samples were collected from Quetta; four from Karachi East; two each from Karachi Keamari, Karachi South, Chaman and Peshawar; and one each from Lahore, Rawalpindi, Dera Ghazi Khan, Karachi Central, Karachi Korangi, Karachi Malir, Hyderabad, Jamshoro, Sukkur, Pishin, Kech, Nasirabad and Khuzdar.

In Quetta, the environmental sample was collected on Dec 18 from the Jataka Kili and Takhtani environmental sample collection site. This was the 10th positive sample from Quetta in 2023.

In Khuzdar, the environmental sample was collected on Dec 27 from the Katan Pul environmental sample collection site. This was the first positive sample from Khuzdar in 2023.

In Rawalpindi, the environmental sample was collected on Jan 8, 2024 from the Dhok Dalal environmental sample collection site. This was the first positive sample from Rawalpindi this year.

The sample collected from Dera Ghazi Khan on Jan 16, 2024 from the Main Disposal environmental sample collection site was the first positive sample from the district this year. The previous positive sample from the district was collected on Jan 12, 2021.

In Lahore, the environmental sample was collected on Jan 8, 2024 from the Outfall Station-G environmental sample collection site. This was the first positive sample from Lahore this year.

Karachi East environmental sample was collected on Jan 9, 2024 from the Sohrab Goth environmental sample collection site. Earlier on Jan 8, another sample was collected from Machar Colony site of Karachi East. The other two samples from Karachi East were respectively collected on Jan 10 and 11 from Rashid Minhas and Chakora Nullah sites.

In Karachi Keamari, the environmental sample was collected on Jan 3 from the &lsquo;Orangi Nala&rsquo; environmental sample collection site. Another environmental sample from Karachi Keamari was collected on Jan 8 from Muhammad Khan Colony.

The first environmental sample from Karachi South was collected on Jan 4 from Hijrat Colony while the second was collected from Manzoor Colony on Jan 16.

In Karachi Central, the environmental sample was collected on Jan 2 from Haji Mureed Goth. The environmental sample from Karachi Korangi was collected on Jan 10 from the Korangi Nala site.

The last sample tested positive in Karachi was from Malir. It was collected on Jan 15 from the Landhi Bakhtawar Village Colony environmental sample collection site.]]>
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			<title>PM hails Rotary Int’l, others role in purging polio</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2454558/pm-hails-rotary-intl-others-role-in-purging-polio</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2454558/pm-hails-rotary-intl-others-role-in-purging-polio#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sat, 27 Jan 24 05:33:28 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Our Correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2454558</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Appreciates organisation’s services in education, other sectors]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar on Friday lauded the Rotary International, world community, and development partners for their role in the eradication of polio in Pakistan.

The prime minister, in a meeting with a delegation of Rotary International led by Stephanie A Urchik, also appreciated the organisation&rsquo;s services for the promotion of education and other sectors.

The delegation briefed the prime minister about the Pakistan Smart Village Programme and performance of the Rotary International for polio eradication.

The prime minister congratulated Stephanie for becoming the first female president of Rotary International and expressed good wishes.

He also reiterated his government&rsquo;s resolve to make every Pakistani child safe from polio.

Read:&nbsp;Poliovirus detection sets off alarm bells

He assured the Rotary International of his government&rsquo;s all-out cooperation in the execution of its programmes, expressing the hope that the organisation would expand the accessibility to their programmes.

The prime minister was told that Rotary would help uplift the living standards of the people while taking advantage of innovation and technology.

It was told that the Smart Villages would help promote the agriculture sector, take advantage of alternative energy, improve irrigation, provide drinking water and mitigate the impacts of climate change.

The meeting was told that the Rotary International had donated around 800,000 books across Pakistan, with 200,000 distributed in Balochistan.

The delegation also gifted another 10,000 books to the prime minister, which would be distributed in different parts of the country.

It was told that the mobile library of Rotary International was helping to promote book reading and literacy.
Caretaker Health Minister Dr Nadeem Jan and relevant senior officers attended the meeting. app]]>
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			<title>Over 11,000 children did not get polio shots</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2453900/over-11000-children-did-not-get-polio-shots</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2453900/over-11000-children-did-not-get-polio-shots#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sat, 20 Jan 24 20:15:31 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Our Correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sindh]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2453900</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[In most cases children were not present at home while in some cases parents refused]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Despite the detection of polio virus at two locations in Hyderabad, more than 11,000 children up to the age of five could not be vaccinated during the current polio eradication campaign. The primary cause for this lapse is parents&#39; reluctance to vaccinate their children although the deputy commissioner announced arrest and fine for refusal.

The provincial health authorities initiated the polio eradication campaign for the second consecutive month this month after the detection of polio virus at Jacob Pumping Station in Qasimabad and Main Tulsidas Pumping Station of WASA in Hyderabad. 

The report compiled at the end of the seven-day campaign, including the subsequent catch-up days, revealed that over 11,000 children under the age of five could not be administered anti-polio drops despite vaccination teams&#39; efforts.

According to statistics compiled by provincial health department on the 8th day of the campaign, 10,302 children in Hyderabad district could not be vaccinated against the deadly virus. This includes children not found at home or whose houses were locked. Additionally, 1,033 children were from households where parents did not allow the administration of polio drops. 

Read:&nbsp;Anti-polio drive launched in Sindh

Data indicates that parents from various areas, including UC 1, 2, and 3 of Cantt, TMC Mian Sarfaraz&#39;s UC 20, 21, 31, 35, TMC Neronkot&#39;s UC 4, 5, 14, TMC Preetabad&#39;s UC 37, 53, 54, TMC Qasimabad&#39;s UC 145, 146, TMC Sachal Sarmast&#39;s UC 100, TMC Shah Latifabad&#39;s UC 107, 108, 113, 115, and UC 124, recorded the highest number of refusals. 

In order to ensure the success of the polio eradication campaign, Deputy Commissioner Hyderabad Tariq Qureshi had issued warning to non-cooperative parents for the first time. 

The warning letter issued by the DC stated that parents who do not get their children vaccinated may face fines or imprisonment. However, no administrative action has been taken against them. 

According to Health Department staff, around 20,000 children were left unvaccinated during the campaign in December last year, including 19,000 children not present at home and about 1,500 children of non-consenting parents.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 21th, 2024.]]>
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			<title>Policeman guarding anti-polio team in Quetta injured in firing incident</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2453044/policeman-guarding-anti-polio-team-in-quetta-injured-in-firing-incident</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2453044/policeman-guarding-anti-polio-team-in-quetta-injured-in-firing-incident#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Fri, 12 Jan 24 16:59:15 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[xinhua.]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2453044</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Police say other members of the polio team remained safe in the attack]]>
			</description>
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				<![CDATA[A policeman was injured in firing incident by unknown gunmen in Quetta, officials said on Friday, officials said on Friday.

According to the police, armed men riding on a motorcycle opened fire at the policeman deputed on the security of polio workers in the Eastern Bypass area.

Police said that the perpetrators fled the scene after carrying out the attack, adding that an operation has been initiated in the area to arrest the culprits.

Read more:&nbsp;Polio workers to get security cover

Police said that other members of the polio team remained safe in the firing incident.

The attack comes during a week-long campaign in Balochistan to administer the polio vaccination to approximately 2.6 million children under five years of age.

Earlier on Tuesday, two policemen deployed for polio duty were killed and at least three others injured during a gunfight with unidentified armed persons in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa&rsquo;s Bannu district.]]>
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			<title>Polio workers to get security cover</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2452857/polio-workers-to-get-security-cover</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2452857/polio-workers-to-get-security-cover#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 10 Jan 24 21:21:00 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Jamil Mirza]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Punjab]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2452857</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Seven-day anti-polio drive to conclude on January 14]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[The District Health Authority (DHA) has acquired the services of the police department to provide security to polio workers so that they accompany them in sensitive areas to administer drops to children during the seven-day anti-polio drive.

The entry points to Rawalpindi have been focused on the anti-polio campaign, in which the children from other districts will be administered polio drops at the entrance points of Rawalpindi.

According to the details, the anti-polio campaign started on January 8 and will continue till January 14. Approximately, 1,015,262 children under the age of five years will be administered the polio vaccine in Gujar Khan, Kahuta, Kallar Syedan, Kotli Sattian, Murree, Taxila, Rawalpindi Cantt and Rawalpindi City.

To implement the anti-polio campaign plan, 3,675 mobile teams, 330 fixed centres, 163 transit centres, and 245 UC MOs will participate in the anti-polio drive.

Read&nbsp;Two more cops on polio duty martyred in Bannu

Religious scholars have been involved in the drive to persuade parents to administer polio drops to their children in the Pakhtun communities to make the campaign successful. DHA Chief Executive Dr Ijaz Ahmed said that the drive has yielded positive results so far, however, in the city and cantonment areas where there is a fear of interfering with the work of the polio teams, security personnel have been deployed at the desired locations.

Dr Ahmed said that during the anti-polio campaign, the focus is on administering polio vaccine to children whose families are coming from other cities. While at home, the guest children are also being administered anti-polio drops.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 11th, 2024.]]>
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			<title>Anti-polio drive launched in Sindh</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2452656/anti-polio-drive-launched-in-sindh</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2452656/anti-polio-drive-launched-in-sindh#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 09 Jan 24 06:10:48 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Our Correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2452656</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Interim health minister says polio virus linked to Afghanistan]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Detection of the polio virus in 13 out of 28 environmental samples collected across various locations in Sindh is disheartening, said Dr Saad Khalid Niaz, the Caretaker Provincial Minister overseeing Health, Social Welfare, Public Health Engineering, and Rural Development, has unveiled a revelation -

This discovery, anywhere in Pakistan, rings alarm bells. Notably, the National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) attributes all identified environmental samples to direct links with Afghanistan.

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony of the first polio eradication campaign of 2024 at Urban Health Centre Landhi, Dr Niaz emphasised the urgent need for a coordinated and comprehensive federal-level strategy to tackle this concerning issue.

His sentiments were conveyed during a media briefing where he was joined by EOC Sindh Coordinator Irshad Sudhar, Dr. Ahmed Ali Shaikh, representatives of the World Health Organization (WHO), and other dignitaries.

The ongoing polio eradication campaign, spanning from January 8 to 14, aims to administer the polio vaccine to over ten million children under five in all 30 districts of Sindh. A staggering 37,000 vaccination teams will be deployed for this ambitious task, accompanied by a security contingent of 4,225 personnel to ensure the safety of the polio teams.

Dr Niaz disclosed that, as a consequence of the identified environmental samples, two children from UC Gujro of the Gadap Town in the Malir district were found to be infected with the polio virus last year. This revelation underscores the global challenges faced in eradicating polio, with Pakistan and Afghanistan being the only two countries still grappling with this formidable task. Dr Niaz called for collective efforts, urging parents and teachers to engage in the government&#39;s coordinated campaign actively. His appeal extended to parents to ensure every child under five receives the crucial two polio vaccine drops. Additionally, he urged school and hospital administrations to extend full cooperation to the dedicated polio workers.

Read&nbsp;Anti-polio drive kicks off

The caretaker health minister highlighted that the Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) teams would be strategically stationed at vaccination sites across health centres, hospitals, and other areas during the campaign. These teams not only focus on polio but also provide vaccinations against 12 potentially dangerous diseases. Dr Niaz urged parents and teachers to promptly report any missing polio vaccines to the helpline number 1166, assuring them that the team would swiftly respond by reaching homes, schools, or madrasahs. He underscored the necessity for a collective effort to combat this perilous disease for the sake of a healthy future.

In response to inquiries during the media briefing, Dr Saad Khalid Niaz shed light on two other significant issues. Firstly, he mentioned that the Federal Investigation Agency&#39;s (FIA) Cyber Crime Cell is actively investigating the details of the paper leak inquiry for the Medical and Dental College Admission Test (MDCAT) exam. He anticipated a final decision soon, providing a glimpse into the government&#39;s commitment to ensuring the integrity of educational processes.

Regarding the new variant of Covid, Dr Niaz informed the public that random checks are being conducted at the airport, and passengers diagnosed with the virus are sent home for quarantine. He clarified that most cases suspected of Covid are influenza-related, providing valuable context to the ongoing efforts in managing the evolving challenges posed by infectious diseases.]]>
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			<title>Polio starts rearing its ugly head in country</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2452511/polio-starts-rearing-its-ugly-head-in-country</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2452511/polio-starts-rearing-its-ugly-head-in-country#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sun, 07 Jan 24 19:55:29 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[our.correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2452511</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Fourteen sewage samples from seven cities test positive for crippling virus]]>
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			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[The poliovirus has started to spread its claws again in the country as the crippling disease has been detected in 14 sewage samples from seven cities.

According to the Ministry of Health sources, the cities affected by the poliovirus belong to Sindh, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan as the number of sewage samples positive for polio in 2023 reached 112.

According to the sources, the poliovirus is present in sewage of Karachi, Peshawar, Quetta, Sukkur, while tests of sewage of Islamabad, Hyderabad, and Kohat were also positive. Samples for polio testing were taken from five cities from Dec 4 to 12, the sources added.

In Peshawar, the sewage samples of Hayatabad, Narekhor, Gulabad, Tajabad, Changi Yusufabad tested positive for polio. During 2023, the poliovirus was found in Peshawar sewage 29 times. The sewage virus is genetically linked to Afghanistan and Rawalpindi.

The poliovirus is also present in the sewage of Faqirabad district of Kohat. It was found for the third time in the sewage sample of Kohat in 2023. Samples for testing were taken from there on Dec 13. The genetic link of the poliovirus in Kohat is Gadap, Karachi.

Sewage samples of Machhar Colony and Rashid Minhas Road in East Karachi are also polio positive. Samples were taken from there on Dec 11 and 12 while genetic link is from Gadap and Liaquatabad. In 2023, 13 sewage samples from Karachi East came out polio positive.

The poliovirus had been confirmed in the sewage sample of Mohammad Khan Colony, Keamari in 2023.

Read also: Poliovirus found in five environs samples

The poliovirus was found for seventh time in the sewage of Keamari with a genetic link to Peshawar.

Haji Mureed Goth sewage from central Karachi tested positive for polio, and in 2023, sewage here tested positive for polio for the fourth time, which is genetically linked to Karachi East.

The sewage sample of the Khamiso Goth area of Karachi West is positive for polio as in 2023, its sewage was shown to be positive for polio for the first time. It is genetically related to Gadap.

Sewage samples of Jacob Pump and Latifabad in Hyderabad tested positive for polio in 2023. Hyderabad sewage tested positive for polio for the fourth time. The virus is genetically local.

The sewage from the Maka pumping station in Sukkur also tested positive for polio. In 2023, the poliovirus with genetic links to Liaquatabad in Karachi was found for the first time in the sewage there.

The poliovirus was also confirmed in the railway bridge sewage sample in the Quetta area. In 2023, the poliovirus was found for the eighth time in the Quetta sewage. Its genetic link is from Chaman.

The sewage sample from the Jhangi Syedan area of Islamabad also tested positive for polio for the first time, with a genetic link to Peshawar. It should be noted that six cases of the poliovirus were reported in the country during 2023.]]>
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			<title>Punjab warily marks polio-free year</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2451900/punjab-warily-marks-polio-free-year</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2451900/punjab-warily-marks-polio-free-year#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 02 Jan 24 05:56:42 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[our.correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Punjab]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2451900</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Two outbreak response, eight maintenance dist to be focused in 2024]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Punjab completed the year 2023 without a polio case, but the officials concerned remain on their toes because of the detection of the virus in environmental samples and instances of the disease reported from other provinces.

The polio vaccination campaigns launched throughout the year achieved an aggregate coverage of more than 100 per cent, Punjab Emergency Operations Centre Coordinator Khizer Afzaal stated on Monday.

However, he admitted that nine environmental samples collected from Lahore (six) and Rawalpindi (three) had tested positive for the virus. &ldquo;The positivity rate of environmental samples stood at 3% in 2023 as compared to 4% in 2022, down by one percentage point. The difference is more notable if compared to 2020 when the environmental samples positivity rate had risen to 58%,&rdquo; he said.

The coordinator said the successful implementation of anti-polio&nbsp;campaigns had helped ensure that samples from most environmental sites had tested negative.

Explaining the plans for the coming year, the EOC head outlined that based on the programme risk categorisation, two &lsquo;outbreak response districts&rsquo; in Punjab would be accorded the highest priority in the polio eradication efforts. &ldquo;On account of risk factors, including importation, the Punjab EOC will also be focusing on an additional eight districts from the maintenance category -- Dera Ghazi Khan, Bhakkar Rajanpur, Rahim Yar Khan, Multan, Mianwali, Layyah and Muzaffargarh,&rdquo; he said.

The EOC coordinator reiterated that Punjab was taking concrete steps to improve the quality of campaigns and coverage of the high-risk mobile population at transit points. &ldquo;Movement of the population between a core reservoir and Punjab is a major cause of virus importation into the province. Punjab has set up&nbsp;transit vaccination points to immunise cross-border and inter-provincial populations in efforts to eradicate polio,&rdquo; he underscored.

Khizer Afzaal elaborated that the priority populations living in the province permanently or on an ad hoc basis held the key to sustaining Punjab&rsquo;s polio-free status. The programme was engaging more women and language-appropriate vaccinators to communicate with such populations, he added.

Considering the criticality of such population groups and risk as well as the vulnerability involved, Punjab&rsquo;s communication workers were extensively working to register, map and profile high-risk mobile community members entering the province so that all children are vaccinated during the campaigns, observed the coordinator.

Read&nbsp;Polio warriors: a Balochistan family&rsquo;s call to duty

Recalling key strategies that had worked in 2023 and key focus areas in 2024, he said that to ensure that every child under five years of age was reached during the campaigns, the Punjab EOC and district authorities had implemented zero and locked houses validation in high-risk districts; while evening revisits for children found unavailable and vaccination points at local doctors&rsquo; clinics during catch-up days had increased the coverage of the vulnerable target population.

He said regular reviews before and after the campaigns, as well as provincial and district-level monitoring and validation plans led by the EOC had enhanced the quality of the campaigns and data authenticity.

The EOC head stressed that Punjab was proactively working on strengthening the essential immunisation. &ldquo;Monitoring of activities are supported by the PEI staff. In addition to monitoring, the health department has leveraged polio teams to identify and vaccinate due/defaulters in Lahore and Faisalabad, respectively,&rdquo; he said.

The Punjab government, through the health department, ensures the safety and security of the frontline workers.

They have also pledged to make all efforts to provide essential support to the workers and facilitate them against challenges, he said. &ldquo;We acknowledge the hard work of our resilient and brave workers who are determined to protect every child in the province from the crippling virus and together we will soon achieve the goal of eradication in Pakistan,&rdquo; he resolved.

The provincial EOC coordinator said 2024 was the year when the country aimed to interrupt transmission of poliovirus and the goal was being steadily pursued.]]>
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			<title>Poliovirus found in five environs samples</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2449986/poliovirus-found-in-five-environs-samples</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2449986/poliovirus-found-in-five-environs-samples#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Thu, 14 Dec 23 04:35:53 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Our Correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2449986</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[They were taken from five districts of country]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Poliovirus has been found in environmental samples taken from five districts of the country, a spokesperson for the national health services ministry said on Wednesday.

The spokesperson elaborated that the virus was found in two samples of sewage water taken from Quetta, Balochistan.

He added that poliovirus was found in one sample each taken from Karachi&rsquo;s Malir in Sindh, Peshawar and Tank in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, and Hub in Balochistan.

The spokesperson said the surveillance system of the country&rsquo;s polio programme was very capable and the government was ensuring effective measures to bring the crippling disease to an end.

The spokesperson maintained that an integrated strategy had been formulated in high-risk areas of polio transmission.

He urged parents to have their children vaccinated against polio during every immunisation campaign.

Separately, an inter-ministerial meeting agreed on a mechanism to ensure vaccination of all age populations at Afghan repatriation centres and international regular border posts.

This was decided in an inter-ministerial meeting held under the joint chairmanship of the secretaries of the national health services and interior ministries to review the vaccination status of the Afghan migrating population.

The meeting was held in the backdrop of the directives issued by the interim prime minister to ensure vaccination of all eligible populations to minimise the risk of the poliovirus spreading.

The huddle was attended by the health director general, high-ranking officials from the interior ministry, immigrations and passport director general, representatives of National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA), Border Health Services, Federal Directorate of Immunisation, Polio Programme, donor agencies and implementing partner organisations.

Read&nbsp;Bilateral solution for polio

The participants of the meeting were informed by the Polio Programme on the data from the voluntary repatriation centres -- (six in Balochistan, two in K-P and three in Islamabad) -- highlighting that 39 vaccination teams and 14 supervisors had been deployed for this purpose.

The teams have managed to vaccinate 24,335 children since the start of the repatriation process.

In addition to the repatriation centres, permanent transit points (PTPs) at international borders have also vaccinated travellers up to all age groups.

The forum was told that instructions had been issued by the interior ministry to relevant authorities in all provinces and

Gilgit-Baltistan to ensure that the interim prime minister&rsquo;s directive to facilitate and ensure polio vaccination at the exit crossing points on the borders were complied with.

The leadership of both ministries agreed that the Polio Programme should synchronise their permanent transit points with all international border crossings to ensure that no child was left behind.

NADRA was assigned the task to ensure the registration of all age Afghan populations at voluntary repatriation centres and digitise the information to support polio vaccination.

The officials of the Border Health Services were tasked to support the polio teams deployed at airports and land ports to ensure vaccinations of the eligible population.

The participants of the huddle also highlighted an important aspect -- in addition to international borders -- the inter-provincial movement that was also a risk factor in poliovirus circulation.

They demanded the strengthening of the polio teams deputed at the inter-provincial permanent transit points. The participants of the meeting asked the World Health Organisation (WHO) to share a list of countries where vaccination certificates were required so that the country ensured compliance with the guidelines for international health regulations.

(With input from APP)]]>
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			<title>Another polio case reported in K-P</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2448782/another-polio-case-reported-in-k-p</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2448782/another-polio-case-reported-in-k-p#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sun, 03 Dec 23 05:23:06 +0500</pubDate>
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			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2448782</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[A nine-month-old child in Orakzai district found infected with the disease]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Another polio case has emerged in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) province, bringing the total reported polio cases in the country to six since the beginning of this year.

As per the spokesperson of the Federal Ministry of Health, the recent case involves a nine-month-old child in Orakzai district, previously part of the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA).

He expressed concern over the confirmation of the poliovirus in 20 environmental samples from 12 districts across the country. This virus, he noted, has affected yet another child.

The spokesperson emphasized the heightened risk posed by this virus to children under the age of five and urged parents to ensure their children receive polio drops for protection against the disease.

Last week, on November 28, authorities in Sindh province launched a seven-day anti-polio campaign targeting more than 10 million children up to 5 years old. Sindh Caretaker Health Minister Dr Saad Khalid Niaz inaugurated the campaign by administering polio drops to children at a hospital in Karachi.

Over 80,000 polio workers and supervisors are actively involved in the campaign. More than 5,300 police personnel are deployed to ensure the security of the workers, with support from the Pakistan Rangers to provide additional security for the vaccinators.

Dr Niaz highlighted that two polio cases had been reported from Karachi this year, with recent environmental samples suggesting links to various parts of Afghanistan.

APP WITH INPUT FROM NEWS DESK]]>
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			<title>Waziristan jirga bans anti-polio campaign</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2448352/waziristan-jirga-bans-anti-polio-campaign</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2448352/waziristan-jirga-bans-anti-polio-campaign#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 29 Nov 23 06:49:38 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[NASARMINALLAH]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Khyber Pakhtunkhwa]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2448352</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Imposes Rs500,000 fine on non-compliant parents; shuts Bannu-Miranshah Road]]>
			</description>
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				<![CDATA[In North Waziristan tribal district of KhyberPakhtunkhwa, a local Jirga has declared a fine of Rs500,000 on parents who allow anti-polio vaccination for their children. The Utmanzai Jirga, spearheading this opposition, has linked the success of the polio vaccination drive to the acceptance of their extensive list of demands.

The Jirga spokesperson, Mufti Baitullah, announced a complete ban on the vaccination campaign, imposing heavy fines on violators. Adding to the gravity of the situation, the Jirga has closed the BannuMiranshah Road to all types of vehicular traffic, causing significant disruptions for commuters.

This decision not only raises concerns about the immediate health risks posed by a potential surge in polio cases but also highlights the broader challenges of governance and law enforcement in the region.&nbsp;

The core committee of the Utmanzai Jirga has presented a 30-point demand list, covering a range of issues including the maintenance of law and order in the district, just distribution of natural resources, and the return of missing persons.

While these demands reflect the longstanding grievances of the local population, the decision to tie them to the critical antipolio vaccination drive has far-reaching implications for public health. Qadeer Dawar, a senior leader of the Pakistan Tahreek-e-Insaf (PTI) in North Waziristan, has urged the provincial government to address the demands of the Utmanzai Jirga to ensure the continuation of the vaccination drive.

However, he has also criticized the Jirga for its decision to ban the vaccination campaign, emphasizing that such tactics could exacerbate problems instead of resolving them. Dawar pointedly noted that the Jirga&rsquo;s actions are endangering the future of their own children, underscoring the short-sighted nature of the decision.

Read&nbsp;PM committed to eradicate polio

The Utmanzai Jirga has been protesting against lawlessness in the region for the past four months, demanding decisive action from the government and security forces to improve the law and order situation. These protests have included sit-ins and demonstrations, and the recent escalation to a complete boycott of the vaccination campaign signals a heightened level of discontent.

The background to this resistance is marked by a tragic incident in September 2022 when a 10-month-old child from union council Ghulam Khan in North Waziristan succumbed to wild polio. This event, the third case in the union council and the seventeenth in North Waziristan, underscored the urgent need for effective polio eradication measures.

Partners of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative and representatives from various countries had convened to discuss the challenges facing polio eradication efforts and to determine the way forward.&nbsp;

Then Federal Health Minister Abdul Qadir Patel highlighted the heightened risk of wild polio transmission in the midst of the country&rsquo;s humanitarian crisis, emphasizing the crucial need for support to protect children from further health concerns.

While the poliovirus has been detected outside southern KhyberPakhtunkhwa, efforts have been made to contain its geographical spread. National Emergency Operations Centre&nbsp;Coordinator Dr. Shahzad Baig reiterated that, despite the increase in polio cases this year, containment efforts in southern KP remain crucial for overall success in eradicating polio in Pakistan.]]>
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			<title>Week-long polio vaccination campaign kicks off</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2448228/week-long-polio-vaccination-campaign-kicks-off</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2448228/week-long-polio-vaccination-campaign-kicks-off#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 27 Nov 23 20:58:14 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Our Correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sindh]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2448228</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[2.585m children under five years of age will be administered 
polio drops]]>
			</description>
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				<![CDATA[The seven-day anti-polio campaign was launched across Sindh in which more than 10 million children aged up to five years would be administered anti-polio drops across the province. 

Caretaker Health Minister Sindh Dr. Saad Khalid Niaz inaugurated the campaign by administering polio drops to the children in Mother and Child Hospital, Sachal Goth District, East.

Over 80,000 polio workers and supervisors are participating in the anti-polio campaign, and more than 5,300 police personnel will be deployed in the field for the security of the polio workers while Pakistan Rangers&#39;s assistance will also be available.

Dr Saad Khalid Niaz, speaking at the occasion said that this year, five cases of polio have been reported in Pakistan, out of which three cases were reported from District Bannu of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa while two cases were reported from District East, Karachi.

In the last two months, several positive environmental samples of the polio virus have been reported in Karachi, he said adding that the positive environmental patterns appearing from Karachi were related to different parts of Afghanistan.

Since Karachi is the economic hub of the entire region, the repeated appearance of positive environmental patterns is a matter of concern, Dr. Saad Khalid said, adding that the appearance of positive environmental patterns from Karachi raises the fear of endangering the children of the entire region and the world.

Emergency Operation Center (EOC) Coordinator Sindh Irshad Sodhar, Deputy Commissioner District East Altaf Ahmad Sheikh, Dr. Ahmed Ali Sheikh, representatives of WHO and others were present on this occasion.

Read&nbsp;Week-long anti-polio drive starts today

In Karachi, the campaign targets 2.585 million children up to the age of five years. More than 11,000 workers have been assigned to perform their duties in during the campaign. 

Commissioner Karachi Muhammad Saleem Rajput directed all the deputy commissioners to make concerted efforts for the success of polio campaign and achieve the vaccination target.

He stressed on comprehensive planning to administer polio drops to children who missed the vaccination and those who refused to take polio drops.

He directed the deputy commissioners to monitor the campaign in their respective districts and ensure positive results. 

Meanwhile, Inspector General of Sindh police Riffat Mukhtar Raja has ordered strict security during the polio eradication campaign in the province. 

He instructed the police force to adopt strict measures to ensure safety and security of polio teams especially in the sensitive areas. 

The IG said that commandos should also be deployed in plain clothes and maintain strict vigilance by random snap-checking, picketing, and patrolling.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 28th, 2023.]]>
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			<title>PM committed to eradicate polio</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2448290/pm-committed-to-eradicate-polio</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2448290/pm-committed-to-eradicate-polio#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 28 Nov 23 15:40:16 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[APP]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2448290</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Prime minister lauds Gates Foundation for its steadfast support of government's initiatives]]>
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				<![CDATA[Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar on Tuesday appreciated the Gates Foundation&rsquo;s support to the Government&rsquo;s efforts to secure a polio-free Pakistan and reaffirmed Pakistan&rsquo;s unwavering commitment to rid the country of this debilitating virus.

The caretaker prime minister received a telephone call from Bill Gates, co-chair of the Bill &amp; Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) this evening to discuss progress in the ongoing efforts to eradicate polio from Pakistan.

Read More: Bill Gates lauds Army for supporting polio drive

During the telephone call, the prime minister and Gates followed up on their discussion in New York when they met on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly session in September.



The Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar received a telephone call from Mr. Bill Gates, co-chair of the Bill &amp; Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) this evening to discuss progress in the ongoing efforts to eradicate polio from Pakistan. The Prime Minister is currently on an&hellip;
&mdash; Prime Minister&#39;s Office (@PakPMO) November 28, 2023


Prime Minister Kakar assured Gates that the government of Pakistan was fully committed to delivering on the promise of a healthier, safer and financially inclusive Pakistan and counted on reliable partners such as BMGF in this endeavor.&nbsp;


&nbsp;

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			<title>November drive targets polio-free future</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2447931/november-drive-targets-polio-free-future</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2447931/november-drive-targets-polio-free-future#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Fri, 24 Nov 23 21:24:28 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Our Correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Khyber Pakhtunkhwa]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2447931</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Emphasis on polio eradication, declared national emergency in the country, remains the government’s top priority]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Secretary of Health, Mahmood Aslam Wazir, emphasized the critical importance of every vaccination campaign as an opportunity to immunize all eligible children and halt the transmission of the poliovirus in the region. Urging parents and caregivers, he stressed the need for ensuring that every child receives the essential two doses of the life-saving anti-polio vaccine.

While inaugurating the November round of the anti-polio drive at Police Services Hospitals in the province, Wazir reiterated the government&rsquo;s commitment to eradicating polio through sustained collective efforts and the active support of parents. He underlined the significance of interrupting virus transmission to protect children from lifelong disabilities.

Read&nbsp;Polio vaccination drive to cover over 4.2m kids

The inauguration event, held on Friday, saw the presence of Special Secretary Health for Polio Eradication, Coordinator Emergency Operations Center Abdul Basit, Deputy Coordinator EOC Zeeshan Khan, representatives from UNICEF, WHO, the health department, and other relevant officials.

Wazir emphasized that polio eradication, declared a national emergency in the country, remains the government&rsquo;s top priority.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 25th, 2023.]]>
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			<title>Officials submitting fake polio data face action</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2447401/officials-submitting-fake-polio-data-face-action</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2447401/officials-submitting-fake-polio-data-face-action#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 20 Nov 23 21:32:19 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Our Correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Punjab]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2447401</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Five staffers serving in Rawalpindi suspended]]>
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				<![CDATA[The Punjab Provincial Task Force on Polio Eradication decided on Monday to take stern action against staff members submitting fake data.


Caretaker Primary Healthcare Minister Dr Jamal Nasir said during a meeting of the task force that that five polio team officials serving in Rawalpindi had been suspended for submitting fake data and an inquiry was being conducted against them.

Chief Secretary Zahid Akhtar Zaman said a special campaign to administer polio vaccine to 22 million children in the province would continue from November 27 to December 1. He said eradication of polio was a national agenda, adding that all deputy commissioners must work on a priority basis for the purpose. 

He issued instructions for action against the staff in the areas where polio drops could not be administered to the children.

The chief secretary said a child who missed the polio vaccine became a source of concern for the whole world. 

He said all deputy commissioners should ensure reporting of correct data, warning that fake data was not acceptable in any circumstances. 

The official called for special steps to cover the children missed in vaccination campaigns.

The task force decided to call a special meeting to review the cases of missed children in Lahore. 

Officials of the health department informed the participants that five polio cases had been reported in Pakistan this year -- three from Karachi and two from Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. 

They said all environmental samples from Punjab had been found negative for poliovirus.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 21st, 2023.]]>
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			<title>Fifth polio case of year reported in Karachi</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2446047/fifth-polio-case-of-year-reported-in-karachi</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2446047/fifth-polio-case-of-year-reported-in-karachi#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sun, 12 Nov 23 09:17:46 +0500</pubDate>
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			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
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				<![CDATA[The affected child belongs to Union Council Gujru]]>
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				<![CDATA[The Ministry of Health on Saturday reported the fifth polio case of the current year.

A 31-month-old child has been diagnosed with polio in Karachi&#39;s Eastern district, the ministry&rsquo;s spokesperson said. He added after this case, the number of polio cases in Pakistan this year had increased to five.

The affected child belongs to Union Council Gujru, from where the fourth case of this year was also reported.

He said that polio was an opportunistic virus as it especially targeted children with low immunity, especially in areas where health facilities, nutrition, sanitation systems and vaccination rates were low.

&quot;We are working together with our partners in the fight against polio,&quot; he added.

He said that the government was ensuring all the necessary measures on an emergency basis to eradicate polio. He said a high-quality polio campaign would be organised in high-risk areas where the virus was present.

He said that mainstream and social media should play an important role in eradicating polio from the country.]]>
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			<title>PM vows to resist anti-vaxxers for polio-free Pakistan</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2442799/pm-vows-to-resist-anti-vaxxers-for-polio-free-pakistan</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2442799/pm-vows-to-resist-anti-vaxxers-for-polio-free-pakistan#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 24 Oct 23 18:27:43 +0500</pubDate>
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			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2442799</guid>
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				<![CDATA[Kakar resolves to carry forward journey with unshakeable commitment]]>
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				<![CDATA[Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar on Tuesday vowed to resist the individuals propagating against the polio vaccination, resolving to achieve the dream of a polio-free Pakistan by carrying forward the journey with unshakeable commitment.

&ldquo;I can assure that we are going to have it. We will realise this dream. We will never step back, may be an inch, may be a foot or may be a mile. This will always be a forth-going journey,&rdquo; the prime minister said while addressing a ceremony to mark the World Polio Day.

The event was organised by the Pakistan Polio Programme to pay homage to the resilience and dedication of frontline workers on the World Polio Day, which is commemorated on Oct 24 every year.

Federal Health Minister Dr Nadeem Jan, Federal Health Secretary Iftikhar Ali Shallwani, representatives of polio partners Rotary, World Health Organization and United Nations Children&rsquo;s Fund (UNICEF), and frontline workers and their families were in attendance.

The prime minister said by opposing the polio vaccine, the anti-vaxxers, intentionally or unintentionally, were partnering with the forces of darkness. He emphasised the role of faith leaders and the society to make such people realise that they were actually partnering with the destroyer of the humans.

&ldquo;This is unacceptable. We will resist this,&rdquo; he resolved.

He expressed his gratitude to the global partners who continued supporting Pakistan in its endeavour of polio eradication.

Recognising the sacrifices of the polio workers and the security personnel guarding them, the prime minister said they had paid the highest price for the cause.

He said the frontline health workers were the heroes of Pakistan, who were working in challenging environments, facing social barriers and even threats to their safety without ever losing their dedication.

Read also:&nbsp;Polio workers faced challenges in Hyderabad

The prime minister recognised the services of three police constables who were martyred while on polio duty and to two vaccinators who were injured.

He also presented appreciation shields to the former Sindh Emergency Operation Cell (EOC) coordinator Fayyaz Abbasi and the family of Huma Ashraf, who was severely injured in a train accident while on polio duty in September.

The prime minister also announced to personally visit Huma as a gesture to recognise her services in the mission of a polio-free Pakistan.

&ldquo;Today is the day to remember how far we have come and how crucial polio eradication efforts remain. Pakistan cannot be the reason to hold the world back. We must move forward to 2024 with the realisation that the weight of global eradication lies on our shoulders. We must leave no room for the virus to spread and reach every child with the vaccine before the virus has a chance to permanently change their lives,&rdquo; he remarked.

The caretaker health minister, in his address, paid homage to the polio workers who were striving to accomplish the mission of a polio-free Pakistan while facing many odds and hardships.

He emphasised that the community health workers should be acknowledged and honoured as motivation would enhance their performance.

He called for changing the narrative from &lsquo;Pak Fights Polio&rsquo; to &lsquo;Pakistan Winning Over Polio&rsquo;.

Read:&nbsp;Polio persistence

He expressed the hope that the World Polio Day next year would mark the complete eradication of polio from Pakistan.

The federal health secretary said the campaign was started in 1994 and continued across Pakistan with dedication to date with support from the aid agencies.

Besides the polio drive, other related subjects, including maternal and neonatal healthcare, were also worked on, he added.

WHO Representative in Pakistan Palitha Mahipala said the day was observed to commemorate the global journey. He said the polio eradication was one of the major commitments made by the WHO, which provided technical support to Pakistan.

He said Pakistan would get rid of the crippling disease within the next few years as the number of paralysis had sharply declined.

UNICEF Chief Polio Officer Melissa Corkum said the credit for the successes went to the health workers who despite challenges went door to door in every campaign.

She said the day was not only to commemorate the successes but also to remember those who sacrificed their lives during the struggle.

Rotary&rsquo;s District Governor Masrur J Scheik highlighted his organisation&rsquo;s support for polio eradication through funds, volunteering during campaigns, social mobilisation of workers and installing solar water filtration plants.]]>
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			<title>Polio persistence</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2441423/polio-persistence</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2441423/polio-persistence#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 16 Oct 23 21:32:31 +0500</pubDate>
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			<category><![CDATA[Editorial]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2441423</guid>
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				<![CDATA[Pakistan has been grappling with the relentless persistence of a once nearly eradicated disease]]>
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				<![CDATA[In the battle against polio, Pakistan has been grappling with the relentless persistence of a once nearly eradicated disease. Recent findings from Pakistan&rsquo;s National Polio Laboratory at the National Institute of Health (NIH) have unveiled the presence of Type-1 Wild Poliovirus (WPV1) in sewage samples collected from three locations &mdash; Hub, Lahore and Peshawar.

Despite considerable global efforts to eradicate polio, the virus persists within Pakistan&rsquo;s borders, casting a shadow over the nation&rsquo;s public health landscape. Sewage samples, time and again, have borne witness to the presence of this insidious disease, signaling an urgent need for a more robust and sustained response. The recent findings, linking the virus to neighbouring Afghanistan, is alarming and emphasises the cross-border nature of the threat and the interconnectedness of health challenges in our region. But what is particularly disconcerting is the apparent gap between the recurring detection of the virus in sewage samples and the tangible actions taken to address this pressing issue. While these samples serve as an early warning system, the subsequent response by the government has not matched the urgency of the situation, even though efforts are ongoing.

Beyond the immediate need for intensified vaccination campaigns, there is a crucial imperative to delve into the root causes of the virus&rsquo;s persistence. Vaccine hesitancy, misinformation and operational challenges in reaching remote areas have all contributed to the ongoing struggle. Addressing these challenges requires a grassroots effort to engage communities, dispel myths and ensure that every child has access to life-saving vaccines. At such a juncture, it is incumbent upon all relevant stakeholders to redouble their efforts. The global community must provide support, resources and expertise to bolster Pakistan&rsquo;s immunisation campaigns and address the systemic challenges that are hindering progress.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 17th, 2023.

Like Opinion &amp; Editorial on Facebook, follow @ETOpEd on Twitter to receive all updates on all our daily pieces.]]>
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			<title>Lab test links polio virus to Afghan strain</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2440876/lab-test-links-polio-virus-to-afghan-strain</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2440876/lab-test-links-polio-virus-to-afghan-strain#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Fri, 13 Oct 23 06:01:17 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[APP]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
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				<![CDATA[Environmental samples collected from Peshawar city and District Dera Bugti have tested positive for wild poliovirus]]>
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				<![CDATA[The environmental samples collected from Peshawar city and District Dera Bugti have tested positive for wild poliovirus.
Pakistan Polio Laboratory at the National Institute of Health (NIH), which also serves as the WHO Regional Reference Lab for poliovirus confirmed that the genetic testing had linked the virus in all samples to the cluster circulating in Afghanistan.

The development was confirmed by the Ministry of Health spokesperson.

Meanwhile, Caretaker Federal Minister for Health Dr Nadeem Jan urged parents to ensure that their children were up to date on routine immunisation and receive the oral polio vaccine repeatedly.

&ldquo;Every virus detection is a stark reminder of the collective responsibility we hold to protect our communities. I urge parents and caregivers to vaccinate their children in every immunisation round and create awareness on the high risk that wild poliovirus poses to our children,&rdquo; he said.

The minister maintained that thorough epidemiological investigations will be held for each detection to identify the affected population and plan swift responses to build immunity, adding that the government had already started a national polio immunisation drive to vaccinate children under five.
&nbsp;]]>
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			<title>Afghanistan tied to country’s polio spike</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2439632/Polio</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2439632/Polio#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Fri, 06 Oct 23 19:27:58 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[News Desk]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2439632</guid>
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				<![CDATA[Health minister says ‘our own are even less than 10%’]]>
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				<![CDATA[In his response to a countrywide surge in polio cases, caretaker Health Minister Dr Nadeem Jan on Friday claimed that 90 per cent of the virus cases in Pakistan were &ldquo;imported from Afghanistan&rdquo;.

His remarks came after two more samples, collected from Balochistan&rsquo;s Dera Bugti and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa&rsquo;s Peshawar, tested positive for the poliovirus in the country &ndash; just a day after this year&rsquo;s third case surfaced.

The health minister, in an interview to a private channel, said: &ldquo;Of the 34 samples that we have received, 90% have come from Afghanistan &hellip; our own are even less than 10%.&rdquo;

Read More: Pakistan will soon be polio-free: minister

According to an official at the polio laboratory of the National Institute of Health (NIH), both viruses that had been found in the sewage samples were similar to Afghanistan&rsquo;s poliovirus.

Pakistan and Afghanistan were the only countries where the poliovirus remained endemic. According to authorities, the transmission of wild poliovirus has been restricted to seven districts in the south of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, namely Tank, Bannu, North Waziristan, South Waziristan Upper, South Waziristan Lower, Dera Ismail Khan and Lakki Marwat.

Read More:&nbsp;Poliovirus detected in Karachi, Peshawar sewage samples

In a report released in August, the World Health Organisation said that since Jan 2021, all reported cases were from the seven polio-endemic districts in southern Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.

Earlier this week, the total number of cases in Pakistan this year increased to five after three new ones were reported in Peshawar, Bannu, and Dera Bugti.]]>
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			<title>Third polio case detected in Bannu</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2439331/third-polio-case-detected-in-bannu</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2439331/third-polio-case-detected-in-bannu#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 04 Oct 23 21:34:02 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[Our Correspondent]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Khyber Pakhtunkhwa]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2439331</guid>
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				<![CDATA[NIH to conduct investigation into source and transmission of virus to toddler]]>
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				<![CDATA[The country on Wednesday saw an increase in the number of polio cases after a new case was reported in the Bannu district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. 

The affected individual is a one-and-a-half-year-old girl who has been left crippled by the virus in the Ghora Bakka Khel union council, while the National Institute of Health Islamabad has confirmed the presence of the polio virus.

A thorough investigation into the source and transmission of the virus to the girl will be conducted. Stool samples from the affected girl have already been dispatched to the National Institute of Health Islamabad for analysis. 

Last year, the country reported 20 cases of polio, with 17 of them originating solely in North Waziristan. 

Authorities have expressed deep concern over the fact that all three cases reported so far this year involve children residing in the Bannu district, especially given that environmental samples from the area have once again tested positive for the presence of the poliovirus.

As of now, Pakistan has identified 34 environmental samples that have tested positive for the virus.

Remarkably, no cases of polio have been reported in areas outside of the districts of South Khyber Pakhtunkhwa since January 2021, according to the Ministry of Health.

Earlier this week, in response to the rising number of cases, the government launched a week-long anti-polio campaign across the country.

With the goal of administering the anti-polio vaccine along with a supplementary dose of vitamin A to over 40 million children, Caretaker Minister for Health Services Dr Nadeem Jan has underscored the importance of parental cooperation in ensuring that their children receive these vaccinations.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 5th, 2023.]]>
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