Experts say fewer cases have been reported in 2015 . PHOTO: AFP
Eradicating polio remains a challenge for the country as reservoirs of the virus continue to exist in various parts of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and the tribal belt.
This was said at a workshop organised by Provincial Emergency Operation Center (PEOC) K-P in collaboration with Unicef and WHO on Thursday.
According to panellists at the event, the reservoirs are predominantly found in North Waziristan, South Waziristan and Khyber agencies. The virus has also been found in various parts of K-P such as Shaheen Muslim Town in the provincial capital.
“Nevertheless, polio cases have decreased by 75% in 2015 as compared to the number of cases reported in the previous year,” said a health expert.
Down with the virus
During the event, a panellist lauded the collective effort made by the federal and provincial governments, donor and law-enforcement agencies to eliminate the virus.
“Their efforts have been particularly significant in the fight against polio,” he said.
“Polio has been wiped out from seven districts in K-P – Kohat, Swat, Karak, Mardan, Bannu, Buner and Torghar.”
Dr Johar, a representative from Unicef, said efforts are being made to eradicate the virus from areas where it remains rampant.
“Rusted pipelines in Shaheen Muslim Town and Laram have already been replaced,” he added.
Challenges and solutions
Speaking on the occasion, one of the panelists drew attention to the challenges faced by polio workers in tribal areas.
“Children from Federally Administered Tribal Areas could not be inoculated in the past as the areas where they live were inaccessible,” he said. “Apart from that, polio workers have also been attacked in these areas.”
Moreover, Unicef Coordinator for PEOC K-P Muhammad Akbar Khan issued a statement that emphasised the media’s role in eradicating polio.
“Media has the power to shape public opinion about fighting polio,” he added
Dr Imtiaz Ali, a PEOC official said, “Stakeholders are preparing strategies to root out the virus from the country as the disease exists only in Pakistan and Afghanistan now.” He said the National Immunisation Drive (NID) will start from September 14 and will remain active for three consecutive days.
Around 5.3 million children will be administered oral polio vaccines during this drive. Over two and a half million households will be visited and around 425 lady health workers will take part in the three-day polio drive.
The drive, however, will not be carried out in districts like Chitral as floods have completely destroyed infrastructure. It is also not being carried out in Upper and Lower Dir due to by-elections. The drive in these areas will be carried out between September 16 and 18.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 11th, 2015.
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