Polio may cripple Pakistan’s future
It is fact
that Pakistan fails to make a dramatic turnaround in its fight against polio;
its international standing could be compromised. Donor and other multilateral
agencies have already warned official authorities that Pakistani citizens may
face travel restrictions and tougher visa policies if the polio virus is not
eradicated.
Event the
World Health organization (WHO) has also suggested that Pakistan is now losing its
battle against polio. A quick review of world fighters highlights that it was
the only polio endemic country with higher number of reported cases compared to
the previous year. The figures are disturbing for Pakistan as the polio virus
has resurfaced after being on the average of eradication from the country. A lot
of polio cases were found in Pakistan. Even Afghanistan, Pakistan’s much poorer
and war-ravaged neighbor, fared better and only 11 cases of polio came to light
in that country.
The government
of Pakistan recognizes non-uniform routine immunization coverage due to
security challenges As the biggest hurdle in its battle against polio. More than
half of the country cases came from the volatile, north western province of
KPK. The conservative region has faced the brunt of militancy in recent years
and continues to play host to millions of Afghan refugees and other vulnerable
mobile population groups. The Taliban have banned polio vaccinations in the tribal
regions and frequently attach health workers leading anti-polio drive. As polio
campaigners struggle to reach some of the most far flung areas in these regions
because of security fears and poor infrastructure, the disease continues to
spread throughout the country.
Pakistan
can learn vital lessons from its neighbor India, who has been successful in
completely eradicating the crippling virus. Like India, Pakistan faces similar
challenges of high population growth rate, poor sanitation, weak infrastructure,
low expenditure on health services, and lack of trust in anti-polio campaigns. Yet
it was able to beat the disease through a well – focused strategy of the
government that partnered with various stakeholders and mobilized community
support. By organizing huge collective effort and then rigorously following up
on the set goals the Indian government was finally able to defeat polio. India’s
success story also largely hinged upon the hectic efforts put in by health
workers to increase awareness about the disease and implement the innovative strategies.
There is a
dire need to restore confidence of health workers in the security arrangements
made for polio vaccination campaigns in Pakistan. Local health authorities must
also show a greater commitment to monitor the immunization drives and conduct
them on a more regular basic, especially in the most backward areas of
Pakistan. The government should team up with religious circles and other
influential figures to remove the misconceptions surrounding polio vaccination.
Health bodies in all districts need to be empowered to chalk out their own
execution plans keeping in mind cultural economic and other sensitivities
unique to each area.
