MULTAN:
The polio virus was diagnosed in an eight-month-old baby girl on Sunday.
The affected baby girl was taken to a local doctor in the area and later a World Health Organisation (WHO) team confirmed that the child had polio.
Residents have claimed that no proper vaccination campaign was run in their area for the past two years.
Locals in several villages of the district complained that no polio teams had visited their areas for vaccinations. “There have been no polio teams here and the health centres are too far for us to take our children there,” said a Chak-385 RB resident.
Executive District Officer (EDO) health Dr Afzal Saqib said that his office held a complete record of the drops administered to the affected girl. “The government of the Punjab has been continuously working for the eradication of polio in the Punjab. There are many families that refuse to immunise their children because they believe the drops are part of some western conspiracy,” he said.
WHO country head for polio eradication Dr Naeema Asad also confirmed the case. “This girl was immunised. “We have been working with health officials in the ministry on a long and short term basis to develop a comprehensive strategy for the eradication of this disease but it is a challenge,” she said.
Members of the social and civil community blamed the Pakistan government for failing to effectively concentrate on the issue. In this case, Mian Waheedur Rehman, Fakhr Islam and Nausheen Malik said that all the polio campaigns that have been organised have not been managed properly.
“Over 4,000 children were given polio drops in this same vicinity of the union council 35 in Vehari but the records are not accurate,” said Islam.
Local residents told reporters that many people still considered the disease was a punishment from Allah. Many still seek cures from quacks and local chemists to cure polio.
“There are also scores of people who visit pirs to cure the disease. They believe the vaccine is a US device that will leave their children impotent,” said villager Karimullah Khan. “I don’t think the vaccine is a fake. I know it is.
The local clerics have warned us that this is America’s way to ensure that the Muslim ummah does not grow,” said village resident Kashif Abdullah.
EDO health Afzal Saqi assured locals that proper medical treatment would be provided to the victim and said that this will include physiotherapy and other medical treatment.
Deputy district officer health, Mailsi Dr Ataa said that immediate action would be taken against health department personnel if any of them were found negligent after an initial inquiry.
The current case is third polio case in Punjab this year.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 22nd, 2011.
COMMENTS (2)
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Although such a tragic story, well done for bringing it story to the attention of the world through your article. What a shame that a small child's life has been impacted affected by Polio and it is through articles like this that reminds the world this isnt a disease of the past.
Rotary International has been working since the 1980's to eradicate this dreadful disease from the face of the earth. Polio remains in four countries in the world and Rotarians are raising millions of pounds to increase awareness and ttry and get this disease from the last four countries in the world. We are 'this close' and hope that very soon the disease will be gone for good. #rotaryendpolio
It is tragic that a little baby has become cursed with polio when it could be prevented. Rotary Interntional has been working since 1985 to eradicate the disease. The vaccine is safe, it is there to save lives, not to end them. Rotarians from the UK and the world are committed to fundraising, to administering the vaccine and to supporting efforts to bring an end to polio. Be part of this battle by contacting your local Rotary club. #rotaryendpolio