KARACHI:
The effort to eradicate polio in Pakistan faces ongoing challenges as 14 environmental samples from areas such as Peshawar, Hyderabad and Karachi have tested positive. Despite a week-long anti-polio initiative in Balochistan targeting over 25 lac children, Pakistan continues to be one of three countries where the virus lingers.
Experts attribute the ongoing challenge to a lack of awareness and government inattention, with 30% of children not receiving complete immunisation. The identification of poliovirus samples in various Karachi districts underscores the pressing need for heightened awareness and addressing the issue of contaminated water, a primary source of transmission.
Polio predominantly affects children under five, transmitted through contaminated water or food, impacting the nervous system and leading to paralysis. Prevention involves administering polio drops and promoting good hygiene practices. A government-led awareness campaign and ensuring vaccination for every child under five are pivotal in the concerted effort to eliminate the polio virus.
Muhammad Amin
Kech
Published in The Express Tribune, January 9th, 2024.
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