Why do we still see polio in Pakistan?

While rest of the world enjoys polio-free environment, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Nigeria are still stuck
with this viral disease. Weak management of vaccination campaigns, false information of the vaccine, and
target violence against vaccinators are the major factors that contribute to the growth of this viral disease
in the country.
In Pakistan, anti-polio campaigns are threatened by al Qaeda extremists who consider polio drops
as haraam. They also consider the 2011 operation which killed Osama bin Laden as an anti-Hepatitis
vaccine campaign. Therefore Al Qaeda now suspects all medical campaigns, including the polio ones, to
have some hidden motives. As a result, they spread disinformation due to which parents have refused to
vaccinate their children. The polio vaccine is a conspiracy. It is not good for children as it injects several
viruses in children. Says Noman Javed, a father from the Khyber Province, who believes in the false
messages spread by the Taliban.
In Pakistan, polio vaccination is a dangerous work. Polio workers face death threats in different
areas of the country especially Karachi and FATA. In 2013, 11-15 polio workers were killed across the
country. This year, 3 polio workers in Karachi and 6 policemen in Charsadda KPK have been shot. The
security personnel protecting the health workers have also been targeted. As a result, polio campaigns in
Karachi and KPK postponed. Government has failed to provide proper security to polio workers who are
now scared and unwilling to risk their lives for the sake of small extra fee the government offers them.
says Dr.Kiran Khalid, a medical health officer.
Pakistans complex situation has made it difficult to eradicate the virus. Polio vaccine needs the
cold chain to be maintained but due to load shedding in the country, the vaccine's quality and efficacy
gets drastically affected. The attitude of doctors is also under question as Dr. Shahzeena, a medical
practitioner at Karachi says, Although the vaccine comes under the government funding but still many
local doctors tend to sell it to the deserving population. When cost becomes an issue, a lot of parents
simply are unable to afford it.
Due to such situation in the country, thousands of children are deprived of polio vaccine, posing
high chances of the comeback of the disease. The number of polio cases being registered is increasing at
an alarming level. This year so far, 27 children have been paralyzed in North Waziristan. If nothing is
done to control the situation, polio could quickly become endemic says Dr. Shahzeena.
Pakistans aim to end polio disease till the end of 2014 seems quite impossible. The country
might face travel and visa restrictions to reduce the polio transmission risk. This international isolation
would consequently affect the international economic assistance of Pakistan and its foreign policy.
Pakistan could also be tagged as a country not enthusiastic to participate in creating a polio-free world.
Polio is a serious threat to all Pakistanis and its eradication is highly important. The disease will not only
paralyze children, but will affect the whole nation. To eradicate Polio is a basic and national responsibility
of every citizen in our country, says Dr. Kiran.


Sources
Noman Javed: 03005902425
Dr. Kiran Khalid: kirann.khalid@gmail.com
Dr. Shahzeena: 03222449666