Polio resurgence

In 1988, the world decided that it was time to work together to eradicate polio and launched the Global Polio Eradication Initiative. Since then, the number of polio cases has fallen by over 99% globally. While this is an enormous success for the world, Pakistan remains one of the only two countries — the other being Afghanistan — that continues to reel from the endemic. The world is urging Pakistan to bolster its polio vaccine campaign because outbreaks in Pakistan pose a risk to the entire world.

The total number of cases fluctuate year by year, which may indicate improper reporting or lack of outreach. In 2019, as many as 147 cases were reported. Years 2020 and 2021 saw 84 and 1 wild polio cases respectively. This year, 6 cases have been documented as of now, all emerging from within North Waziristan in K-P due to high refusal rates. Despite the fact that on paper, millions of children below the age of 5 have been vaccinated, instances of finger-marking without vaccination coupled with corruption in funds may very well skew the actual numbers. Moreover, just like what we witnessed during the Covid-19 pandemic, polio vaccine hesitancy has a long, tarnished and dangerous history in Pakistan. Myths, misinformation and misuse have politicised the polio situation. Citizens show hostility towards polio workers who are often attacked and killed because of outlandish conspiracy theories. Anti-American sentiments is also a significant factor, especially in the Northern Areas. Regardless of all the noise that surrounds it, the main focus should be on the affected children who have to spend the rest of their lives in misery, isolated from the rest of society because of a disability that could well have been prevented.

The responsibility of parents and caregivers as well as the government is to put children first. Existing myths need to be busted and a middle ground needs to be sought in order to reduce the communication gap between parents and officials. Discourse and dialogue seem to be the immediate way forward.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 10^th, 2022.

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