“Pakistan is responding to the resurgence of WPV1"
Two new polio cases were reported in Pakistan, raising the total number of cases in 2024 to 67, officials confirmed.
The cases were detected in Tank, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Kashmore, Sindh.
These new cases highlight the persistent struggle against the crippling disease in the country.
Pakistan and the neighbouring Afghanistan are the only two countries in the world where polio is endemic.
Despite ongoing efforts, the vaccination campaigns often face significant resistance, particularly from militant groups targeting polio workers and their security teams.
The government has intensified efforts to combat the virus.
In early December 2024, the year’s final national vaccination campaign brought vaccines to children directly at their doorsteps.
The Polio Eradication Programme said: “Pakistan is responding to the resurgence of WPV1 this year with 67 cases reported so far.
“Of these, 27 are from Balochistan, 19 from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 19 from Sindh, and one each from Punjab and Islamabad.”
The fight against polio in Pakistan is hindered by widespread misconceptions and illiteracy.
Some communities falsely believe that polio vaccines are part of a conspiracy by Western countries.
Other false conceptions include the suspicions that the vaccines contain prohibited ingredients.
These misconceptions often result in violent resistance against vaccination teams.
A recent incident in Karachi’s Korangi district underscores the challenges faced by polio workers.
According to police reports, a polio team and their security personnel were attacked by a tribal family when they arrived to administer vaccines.
The confrontation escalated when women from the family began pelting stones at the workers and security officers.
Male family members, some reportedly armed, joined the altercation and physically assaulted the polio workers and police.
Police officials described the attack as violent, with uniforms torn and additional individuals arriving to join the assault.
Despite the chaos, the police detained four women and two men, while others managed to flee. A case has been registered against the suspects.
The incident highlights the significant challenges Pakistan faces in eradicating polio.
The Expanded Programme on Immunisation continues to provide free vaccinations against 12 childhood diseases, including polio, at health facilities nationwide.
In Balochistan, where polio cases have reached 27 in 2024, the next sub-national vaccination campaign is scheduled for December 30.
This effort aims to vaccinate children across all 36 districts of the province.
Meanwhile, Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have each reported 19 cases, with Islamabad and Punjab confirming one case each.
As the year draws to a close, health authorities remain committed to their goal of a polio-free Pakistan.
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