Polio challenge

Gratitude is owed to stringent military operations in the area and pursuing suspects in polio worker murder cases


Editorial August 14, 2018

Poliovirus eradication has been a challenge for Pakistan health authorities since the inception of Pakistan. Although the infectious disease dates back to prehistoric times with initial clinical distinction in 1789, we remain one of two countries that still battle the original poliovirus alongside war-torn Afghanistan. Some respite has been experienced, however, particularly in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Fata. This year, zero cases have thus far been reported, down from one in 2017, and significantly reduced from 247 cases in 2014, coming with a heavy sigh of relief.

Gratitude is owed to stringent military operations in the area along with pursuing suspects in polio worker murder cases. In addition, monetary aid for the purpose of polio eradication greatly supported the cause, from the UAE for instance. The courage of health officials and polio workers on the ground is unparalleled when compared with most workers in other departments operating under high risk in militant-infested areas. To reduce statistics from Fata producing nearly 60% of countrywide cases in 2014 to virtually becoming polio-free in four years finally gives us a matter to boast about, notwithstanding that it was about time. Admittedly, many countries eliminated polio during eras that were free of war which was easier to achieve. Even though a copious amount of work remains to be done in K-P and Fata, this is a sign that long-lasting defeat may be coming for anti-state elements.

Continual support and monitoring will need to be sustained since officials warn that Pakistan’s proximity to Afghanistan renders it highly susceptible to new cases with looming fears of the virus spreading across the border. Afghanistan constantly struggles to build its systems, governance, and security landscape. It hardly has the capacity to focus on other areas right now such as health rehabilitation. Although Pakistan has not yet fully eliminated polio, with health teams employing new and updated strategies such as incentives for parents and changing erroneous beliefs about the effects of the virus on sterility, this benchmark may soon be reached.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 14th, 2018.

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