Polio cases increase in spite of large campaigns

Lahore High Court investifating increase in polio cases despite country-wide anti-polio campaigns.

LAHORE: The Lahore High Court has sought a report from the provincial health secretary among others about the increase in polio cases despite country-wide anti-polio campaigns.

Justice Asad Munir issued this order while taking up a public interest petition filed by Advocate Noshab A Khan.

The petitioner relied on a report complied by the polio eradication section of the National Institute of Health, which showed that out of the 136 polio cases reported this year, 107 children had been administered polio drops under a prescribed schedule.

Khan declared the fact “alarming”. He pointed out that the World Health Organisation (WHO) had also noted with concern this year that Pakistan had registered the highest number of polio cases in a decade.

The advocate said that the polio vaccine might have become ineffective after not been stored at the required temperature, especially in remote areas where electricity supply is disrupted for long hours.

The petitioner stated that the health secretary and the NIH had failed to do their duty.

He, therefore, prayed that the respondent authorities be summoned before court and directed to explain the “alarming situation”. After directing the provincial health secretary and concerned officials to file their response and comments, the judge adjourned the case until February 2.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 25^th, 2010.