Polio team attack

The recent tragic attack on a polio vaccination team in Quetta’s Nawa Killi area has cast a somber shadow on Pakistan’s ongoing battle against polio. This cowardly act highlights the dark and tangled history of polio vaccination campaigns in the country, accentuating the existing challenges of vaccine hesitancy. Nevertheless, the unwavering spirit of the nation must prevail in the face of adversity to overcome this crippling menace.

The polio eradication struggle has been akin to battling windmills for Pakistan, fraught with countless obstacles and daunting challenges. Unfounded rumours and hoaxes have plagued vaccination efforts, sowing seeds of doubt among the populace. The need to dispel misinformation and reaffirm the benefits of vaccination has become more crucial than ever. The attack on the polio vaccination team must serve as a wake-up call for greater awareness. Collaborating with leaders and specialists to enhance the collective consciousness of the masses is as important as cracking down on the forces that resist vaccination efforts. The government must embark on a comprehensive charm offensive to engage and educate the public about the importance of vaccinations and the safety of our children. That said, the threat towards health workers is equally essential and significant. When the protectors of health are safe and secure, they can carry out their noble task unhindered. Government efforts must converge to provide foolproof security for health workers. Those deployed to protect them should also be given adequate safety equipment including bulletproof vests.

Change requires persistence and resilience. It is essential to cultivate a culture of trust and cooperation between health workers and communities, bridging the gap created by past misinformation. By doing so, we can dispel the fog of doubt and steer the course toward a polio-free future.

 

Published in The Express Tribune, August 3^rd, 2023.

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