The polio curse

Pakistan alongside Nigeria and Afghanistan, ranks as only 1 of 3 countries in the world where polio remains endemic.

As neighbouring India celebrates its first ever polio free year, thereby receiving permission from the WHO to be removed from the list of endemic countries, Pakistan faces a growing crisis. The situation is so bad in fact, that a few days ago a warning was issued that a global polio emergency could be declared in the country. If this happens it may result in Pakistanis being barred by the UN and WHO from travelling outside the country, in order to prevent the potentially paralytic virus from spreading. Beyond the inconvenience such a drastic measure could cause, we all know what this would do for the image of a country which already stands low in the eyes of the world.

Today, Pakistan alongside Nigeria and Afghanistan, ranks as only one of three countries in the world where polio remains endemic. The figures emerging are not encouraging. Last year, 198 cases were recorded which was the highest anywhere in the world. This year, we seem to be doing no better, with 14 cases already confirmed, nine of which are from Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and the Fata region. The WHO has also expressed concern over the rise in cases in Balochistan, where over 70 cases were detected, including in districts that had remained polio free for years. This is indeed an alarming development.

Following a meeting of experts in Islamabad, it has been decided that immediate attention needs to be directed towards the troubled Khyber Agency, especially the Bara Tehsil, where there has been no anti-polio campaign since 2009. The movement of people out of the area is adding to problems as vaccination drives have to be set up at check points along the routes and at the Jallozai camp. Will this be enough to stop the spread of a disease rampaging out of control? We do not yet know. But, with Pakistan now regarded as the epicentre of polio in the world, a way needs to be found to bring the menace under control. This is a stain we need to wash away for the sake of our children and the future of our nation, as we struggle with a problem other countries have successfully overcome.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 2^nd, 2012.