Fight against polio

Dr Zakaullah’s death is a tragedy for all health workers across the country who continue to carry out inoculations

Long before Pakistan became the centre of world attention due to the war on terrorism, it was known as one of the few places left on earth where polio was still a prevalent disease. In recent years, the fight against polio has seen major obstacles in the form of militancy and violence directed against polio vaccinators. Attitudes of many sections of the population have also hindered anti-polio campaigns with many being against the administering of polio drops to their children based on a medieval, regressive mindset. Unfortunately for us, the fight against polio became mixed up with the fight against terrorism when it was used as a front by the CIA to carry out the search for Osama bin Laden. Since then, health workers who have been doing house to house rounds to vaccinate children have become easy targets for extremist elements. Most recently, Dr Zakaullah Khan, a senior member of the anti-polio drive in Peshawar, was shot and killed on September 11 near his home and the militant group Jamatul Ahrar has claimed responsibility for his death.

Dr Zakaullah’s death is a tragedy for all those health workers across the country who continue to carry out inoculations despite the continued threats that they must face. It is also a tragedy for the rest of Pakistan as each one of these attacks slows down the efforts to eradicate polio. Our children remain at risk for contracting a crippling disease because it has become the face of a different war. This attack also shows that militant activity in Pakistan is very much alive and rears its ugly head from time to time despite the efforts to fight it with there being an upsurge in terror attacks in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. The efforts of all those who continue to fight the good fight against the twin evils of polio and terrorism must be applauded. It is also hoped that their sacrifices will yield results soon and will not be forgotten. 

Published in The Express Tribune, September 13^th, 2016.

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