A polio resurgence is slowly creeping up as Pakistan reports its 19th case of the year. This time, the virus has paralysed a six-month-old minor in South Waziristan. Just a couple of days back, a three-month old had been affected by the disease in North Waziristan. The Waziristans, the north one in particular, seem to be the epicentre of the outbreak and reasons are complicated. Since June 2012, local leaders have imposed a vaccination ban that has significantly hindered polio eradication efforts, with the main conflict being Pakistani military operations against militants.
Not only has this sparked anti-American sentiment but it has also sown the seeds of deep distrust between citizens and officials. Efforts by international NGOs and civil society organisations who truly want the disease to end in the last few remaining places in the world have been caught in the mix. Hoaxes and myths regarding polio drops prevail and polio workers have been constantly attacked and killed for carrying out social duties. The border situation with Afghanistan makes the terrain all the more sensitive to tread. While New York has efficiently imposed an emergency after the polio virus was found in samples of wastewater, it may not be as important for those in Pakistan who believe they are struggling for something far greater. In such a situation, the onus lies with the government and health officials to negotiate and create a middle ground in order to resume vaccination campaigns in the affected areas. More startling is the fact that the virus seems to be spreading far and wide as samples from major cities such as Karachi have tested positive for polio.
Instead of using the issue of polio itself, the government must change the rhetoric towards that of protecting the children, considering that a significant number of cases have now surfaced. This may perhaps be a topic that hesitant locals will be willing to converse about.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 18th, 2022.
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