A Pakistani health worker administers polio vaccine drops to a young child at a polio vaccination center in Karachi. PHOTO: AFP/FILE
India may be the first country to impose travel restrictions on Pakistan because of its polio problem which threatens to become an international headache.
India Today reported on January 28 that the Delhi government has written to its transport and railway authorities to allow screening of children coming from Pakistan or going there. It wants the health department to set up a permanent system at the Ambedkar Stadium and Old Delhi railway station where the Samjhauta Express arrives. Such screening is also carried out in Jammu and Kashmir as well as Munabao, in Rajasthan from where a train goes to Karachi.
Delhi has been polio-free since 2009, said the newspaper.
“We will be pushed back by at least two years if another case now comes up,” Delhi health minister Dr AK Walia said in the news report. Indian alarm can be seen in the light of reports earlier this month that samples of a strain of polio virus linked to Sukkur were found in Cairo. Egypt has been polio-free since 2004.
The panicked Pakistani Embassy in Delhi has written to the Pakistan Polio Cell about this news that Delhi wants to take no chances.
An official working with the PM’s polio cell said, “This is a crucial time for Pakistan to take the polio issue seriously. Lowering the number of cases in 2012 was a big achievement but now transmission of the virus to other countries is a serious cause of concern.”
For its part, the Civil Aviation Authority has told all airport managers to fully cooperate with health officials to set up vaccination counters in all international departure lounges in Pakistan.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 1st, 2013.
COMMENTS (35)
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There is no conspiracy here. We in India don't want to again join the shameful list of polio afflicted countries. We are on a lot of lists we wouldn't like to be on. For change to happen the problems need to be acknowledged first. Denial helps nobody. Pakistan should also want to come out of that shameful list as should Afghanistan and Nigeria. Don't destroy the future of your children for silly conspiracy theories. Would you be able to look your children in the eye if God forbid they contracted polio and blamed you for making them disabled for life when it was easily preventable? Educated people from Pakistan, please create awareness among your masses to help eradicate polio.
Pakistan is a "export oriented" country...
@gp65, I would advice you to not engage with Rex Minor on ANY issues. He is a (proud) german muslim who has never been to asia, let alone india-pakistan. He knows next to nothing about the subcontinent and only posts patronizing nonosense here and on other pakistani websites to fulfill his daily dose of 'ummah-karma.'
Polio is part of the MFN Package +++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Take it or leave it.
@John B: " Before long US will also establish a quarantine station for PAK arrivals." ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ It already has. Its called Guantanamo.
It is despicable to read some of the comments which keep blaming India even if it wants to protect itself from one of the now famous export of Pakistan. When do these stupid fellows realize that these steps taken/tobe taken by India and other countries will not only save others from Polio but also put pakistan under pressure to vaccinate and eliminate polio. Instead these mindless supporters of taliban keep propagating against the vaccination and end up with crippled family members. Is this what the pakistanis want ?
@John B: No surprises here, the US already has many "Quarantine" stations for PAK arrivals.
So India should risk its hard earned status as a polio free state, just to please Pakistan; because it cannot get its act together!
may be India is not so safe either....!!!!!!!
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-india-19825565
http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-08-05/thane/330484101viral-fever-viral-attack-body-ache
http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/international/radio/onairhighlights/outbreak-of-viral-encephalitis-in-indias-uttar-pradesh-state
@ff:
Please stop with the twisted conspiracies. Such mindset is no different than the ignorant and deluded anti-polio nuts. Results speak for themselves. The failure is from within us, and us only. We are self-sabotaging and suffering from violence, stupidity, corruption, ineptness, etc. That is where the agenda and conspiracy is. No point in redeeming this false 'good reputation' image of the nation unless these very serious local issues are addressed.
Here's a recent article about one of the many setbacks to the polio drive, this time in Kurram agency. Everyone knows the local militants that do it to harass and maim the local villagers, yet the state and other Pakistani citizens do nothing to combat their inhumane planting of land mines in Pak.
Two Pakistan polio vaccination workers killed in mine blast
Being from a family of polio infected kid I urge rest of the world to follow India. This will put a lot of pressure on Pakistan to do something about it.
I am actually surprised that it actually took this long to act in India
Although it may bruise PAK, it is an imperative step to keep India polio free. Otherwise all the billions of $ spent will be a waste. One case is as good as many.
Rather than harking on India, PAK should understand the situation and make a serious effort rather killing the polio workers and the policemen who escort them.
Before long US will also establish a quarantine station for PAK arrivals.
And the blame game begins.. way to go sheeple!!!
@Anam H: "Everything that has been happening, it’s like Pakistan makes the effort only." Well, as the Americans would say - "We need Pakistan to do more"
@Anam H: "Why does this give me the feeling that this is nothing more than an excuse? " Requiring kids to be vaccinated before they come is not an excuse. Making India polio free has been extremely difficult task and it is understandable that India would not want a relapse. BTW Saudi Arabia has the exact same restrictions.
@Rex Minor: "Is India, not only Delhi polio free? If this is the case then Indian authorities should not allow children from any country without on spot jabs if it is not polio free. "
India is polio free. Only 3 countries in the world are not - Pakistan, Afghanistan, Nigeria, so there is no reason or rationale to impose this restriction on other countries.
@Truth Detector: Not sure how your post is relevant to the subject? Incidentally while India undoubtedly has the problem that you referred to, Pakistan is not exactly free from the problem either. http://tribune.com.pk/story/424180/toilet-facilities--a-luxury-for-most-pakistanis/ The only reason why India's problem are better known is that policy makes are focussing on it, collecting data and trying to come up with solutions and media is openly spotlighting the problem. We have a minister who has openly said that India is more in need of new toilets than new temples and there is no attempt to become compacent by saying that Pakistan also has the same problem. Do you think any minister in Pakistan would dare to say that Pakistan is more in need of girls schools than mosques?
@ff:
not true sir! The children from polio free countries take ahigher risk than those from Pakistan. Comprendo.
Rex Minor
@Rex Minor: "Is India, not only Delhi polio free? "
Yes it is.
This is what happens when priorities are misplaced.
Not only Pakistan, it should be done to children around the world who arrive in India.Let the child is from the developed country like America or underdeveloped country like Somalia.
It is alarming situation for whole nation of Pakistan, it show the international agenda to corner Pakistan. And those people who discourage the polio and other vaccination campaign they are participating on this agenda.
Is India, not only Delhi polio free? If this is the case then Indian authorities should not allow children from any country without on spot jabs if it is not polio free. Equaly Pakistan should not allow any children entering without an on spot jab if those children have not been jabbe against polio. It is a two way street. Polio free country does not imply that children from such countries be allowed into Pakistan without a jab.
Rex Minor
Why does this give me the feeling that this is nothing more than an excuse? That India does not want to continue it's ties with Pakistan. Everything that has been happening, it's like Pakistan makes the effort only.
Yes, Pakistan is to be blamed for this as well:
http://blogs.reuters.com/india/tag/public-defecation/
http://www.thehindu.com/health/policy-and-issues/india-is-drowning-in-its-own-excreta/article3524150.ece
:->
@sid: Indeed, we should say yes to aman but no to polio.
Pakistan should be doing screeing for HIV cases from India, as it is estimated that nearly 2 million people are infected by HIV.
thanks India .. for aman ke asha !
saudi arabia already screens kids for polio virus and ban them if they are not immunised
Pakistan is becoming a big exporter of a lot of things..
Goog decision by Govt of Indiawho had worked very hard to make India polio free,now don't blame India for this if you have anyone to blame then blame your govt and taliban who doesn't want pakistani childrens to flourish and live a general life.
shame that pakistan couldn't get rid of this disease...."LAND OF PURE"............
Another achievement of five years of peoples government. Zinda hay Bhutto Zinda hay
Many more viruses from Pakistan +++++++++++++++++++++++ with no known antidote.