Polio challenge

Pakistan must rally its resources and expertise to overcome this setback

The poliovirus is yet again rearing its ugly head in various cities across Pakistan, marking a distressing setback in the nation’s battle against this debilitating disease. Recent findings indicate the detection of the poliovirus in 14 sewage samples from seven cities, including Karachi, Peshawar, Quetta and Sukkur. This resurgence, with 112 sewage samples testing positive for polio in 2023, sounds an alarming bell for public health efforts in the country.

Peshawar, a city that has struggled with polio in the past, is facing a concerning frequency of positive sewage samples. The region is grappling with the genetic links to Afghanistan, suggesting complex transmission dynamics that transcend borders. In Karachi, both the East and West areas are reporting positive sewage samples, painting a grim picture of the virus’s persistence. While the efforts of health authorities and organisations in combatting polio have been commendable over the past few years, the recent data calls for a reevaluation of strategies. For starters, vaccine hesitancy needs to be tackled and prevailing myths dispelled. The interconnected nature of the poliovirus transmission, evident in the genetic links between different cities and neighbouring countries, demands a unified, cross-border approach. This can be particularly difficult when security challenges persist and relations with Afghanistan seem to be deteriorating. As the country faces this resurgence, swift and decisive action is imperative. Intensified vaccination campaigns, enhanced surveillance and strengthened collaboration among provinces are crucial components of the response.

Addressing the root causes of the virus’s persistence, including gaps in immunisation coverage and population movement is essential to curbing its spread. Pakistan must rally its resources and expertise to overcome this setback, ensuring that the gains made in the fight against polio are not eroded.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 9th, 2024.

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