Polio campaign: Well done, Imran

PTI chief’s efforts will be a tribute to all those who have lost their lives during the anti-polio drive.

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan’s efforts to lead the anti-polio drive in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) are highly commendable, given that health workers and security officials involved in vaccination campaigns have been killed at regular intervals. The PTI chief’s efforts will not only raise the morale of the people who are part of the campaign, this will also be a tribute to all those who have lost their lives. It must be noted, however, that soon after the announcement of this initiative, Imran Khan received threats to back off from the campaign by a militant outfit — a stark reminder of the chaotic times we live in.



Dozens of health workers and policemen have been killed in the fight against polio so far. This year alone, Pakistan has reported 75 cases of polio, majority of which belong to Fata, and cases have been reported in Egypt with doctors suggesting the source originated in Pakistan. The much-feared restrictions on Pakistanis from travelling abroad also seem to be taking shape with India requiring people coming from Pakistan to provide proof of being vaccinated for polio. Other countries could initiate similar measures after the global polio eradication initiative, the Independent Monitoring Board, meets in January to review the situation.

Imran Khan’s statement that if all possible efforts are made polio can be eradicated within three months can be considered an over-optimistic one, but there is no doubt that his contribution can prove to be important in terms of developments that surround the campaign. What needs to be done now is to devise a strategy acceptable to all stakeholders. This will have to include religious leaders, the media, people holding all shades of opinions and the public at large. Apprehensions surrounding the anti-polio campaign need to be addressed immediately. While all this might sound good on paper, it might not be as easy to implement these steps. With Fata remaining a main area of concern, in particular North Waziristan, the success of the campaign depends on how it is tackled. The plan for eradicating polio does not seem to address all the ground realities at the moment. However, it is an effort that needs to be made if we want to save our present and future generations.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 20^th, 2013.

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