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Islamabad, Pakistan – Pakistan’s ongoing struggle to eradicate polio remains an uphill battle as the number of active cases reached 50 on Tuesday. The latest figures come after fresh cases were reported from the provinces of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Balochistan, highlighting persistent challenges in the fight against this crippling disease.
Among the 50 active cases, Balochistan has reported 24, Sindh 13, KP 11, and Punjab and Islamabad one each. On Tuesday, a second case of Wild Poliovirus (WPV1) was confirmed in KP’s Tank district, involving a young girl.
These two regions—KP and Balochistan—continue to be hotspots for the virus, partly due to resistance against vaccination campaigns and ongoing threats to health workers. The environment of hostility has made it increasingly difficult to ensure smooth immunization efforts, leaving many children vulnerable to infection.
A Worrying Trend Despite Progress
While the World Health Organization (WHO) has noted a decline in polio cases in Punjab, it warned that the emergence of new cases is a grave concern. “The detection of these cases indicates that children in several districts remain at risk,” the WHO stated.
Pakistan and neighboring Afghanistan remain the only countries where polio is endemic, posing a global health challenge. Although Pakistan administers over 300 million doses of the oral vaccine annually, the virus continues to resurface, fueled by deep-seated societal and logistical issues.
The Legacy of Distrust
The roots of resistance to vaccination campaigns in Pakistan trace back to 2011, when the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) conducted a fake hepatitis immunization drive to locate Al-Qaeda leader Osama Bin Laden. This operation, which led to Bin Laden’s death in Abbottabad, eroded public trust in legitimate health campaigns.
Adding to this distrust, certain religious leaders have propagated false beliefs that polio vaccines contain prohibited substances like pork and alcohol, further discouraging immunization in conservative communities.
Attacks on Health Workers
The fight against polio in Pakistan is not just a public health issue but also a security concern. Health workers have frequently been targeted, with many losing their lives while conducting vaccination drives. These attacks have made it increasingly difficult to operate campaigns in high-risk areas, particularly in KP and Balochistan.
Global Implications
Polio’s persistence in Pakistan is a stark reminder of the challenges in eradicating the disease globally. Experts stress that until the virus is eliminated in Pakistan and Afghanistan, the threat of its resurgence in other parts of the world remains.
As the country grapples with renewed cases and logistical challenges, the need for coordinated efforts involving government agencies, religious leaders, and international organizations has never been greater. Without a unified approach, Pakistan’s decades-long battle against polio could continue to stall, putting countless children at risk.
