However, there is still much to be desired before Pakistan can gain the status of being polio-free as the second case of a child being diagnosed with the virus in Karachi has increased the total number of cases being reported this year to six. Though the numbers fare better than those of last year’s — with 20 cases being reported — strategies that keep in view the changing political conditions should be devised to experience no disruption in the eradication process. With the upcoming general election of 2018, a disruption in the effective anti-polio campaign is feared.
According to the Independent Monitoring Board (IMB) for Polio, the 2013 national elections had witnessed the complete dismantling of the whole of the prime minister’s polio cell. For a considerable period of time, the campaign was not only leaderless but the IMB report released on December 8th had also termed the key polio staff “actors in search of a play.” It also declared the region of Balochistan the most challenging in the world owing to its security concerns.
In the wake of these concerns, it is significant that the already taken efforts are doubled and the bureaucratic process is eased for Pakistan to be able to fulfill its international commitment of being polio-free region.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 9th, 2017.
Like Opinion & Editorial on Facebook, follow @ETOpEd on Twitter to receive all updates on all our daily pieces.
COMMENTS
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ