Poliovirus: Children at risk in Balochistan
Editorial :
Ongoing government employees‘ protests have caused the suspension of the anti-polio campaign twice in Balochistan. Children under the age of five years are at risk because of repeated postponement of campaigns in the province.
Indeed this is insane. No sane person can support this attitude. Employees should not punish children exposed to the crippling virus during their protest against the provincial government. However, the provincial government should also demonstrate restrain and adopt a political approach to convince the employees to call off their strike. Political governments have the capacity and potential to tackle complicated situations.
Protest should not be at the cost of the lives of children
Yes, protest is the democratic and fundamental right of every individual. However, the protest should not be at the cost of the lives of children. Countrywide anti-polio campaign conducted from March 26 to April second 2nd. The Emergency Operation Cell (EOC) had announced to launch of the campaign on April 5. Moreover, the campaign again postponed and rescheduled for April 7.
Balochistan reports one case in 2021
Balochistan has reported one polio case during the year 2021. The case reported from Balochistan’s Killa Abdullah district. Quetta, Pishin, and Killa Abdullah districts are the most vulnerable and sensitive districts regarding the crippling virus.
Government employees protesting for the last 7 days
Government employees have been protesting for the last seven days in support of their demands in Quetta, the capital of Balochistan province. The protesting employees have blocked all main roads leading towards the Red Zone housing the Governor’s house and Chief Minister’s Secretariat.
From what we have observed in Quetta, the city has witnessed the worst traffic jams as a result of employees’ protests. Patients, students, aged people remained the worst sufferers of employees’ strike.
Balochistan reported 26 cases of poliovirus during 2020
Balochistan reported 26 cases of the poliovirus during 2020. Most of the cases reported from the Quetta, Killa Abdullah, and Pishin districts of Balochistan.
To be precise, government employees should think beyond perks and privileges when it comes to the lives of children. Protest is the right of employees. However, they have no right to put the lives of children in peril.
