Dawood Ahmed:
ISLAMABAD: Balochistan is once again at the forefront of Pakistan’s polio crisis, with two more children paralyzed by wild poliovirus type 1 (WPV1). This alarming development underscores the expanding public health threat and the urgent need for vaccination.
According to the Regional Reference Laboratory at the National Institute of Health, a female child from Zhob district in Balochistan and a male child from Tank district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) have been affected, bringing the total number of cases in 2024 to 28. This is the second case from Zhob, where a child was previously affected in July, and the first case from Tank.
The virus has been detected in sewage samples from both districts, indicating ongoing transmission and a significant risk to children’s health.
Prime Minister’s Focal Person for Polio Eradication, Ms. Ayesha Raza Farooq, has made a heartfelt appeal to parents and caregivers across Pakistan to vaccinate their children.
“The government brings the polio vaccine directly to your doorsteps multiple times a year. Every knock on your door by the polio workers brings hope for a healthier future for your children.
Please cooperate with them and bring your children forward for vaccination,” she urged.
The next nationwide polio campaign is set to begin on October 28, aiming to combat the growing public health risk.
However, consistent implementation in Balochistan and southern KP remains challenging due to factors such as lack of access to vulnerable children, security issues, vaccine hesitancy, and community boycotts.
Coordinator of the National Emergency Operations Center for Polio Eradication, Mr. Muhammad Anwarul Haq, emphasized the need for increased vaccination coverage and community trust to protect children from the paralyzing effects of polio.
