Battling the spread of the polio virus and its eventual eradication from the country are among the major public health challenges confronting Pakistan. Though there have been several official polio awareness campaigns and immunisation drives, some lacunae remain which need to be plugged if the virus is to be eliminated.
While discussing anti-polio efforts at the start of the latest eradication campaign in Karachi, the country representative of the World Health Organisation pointed to some of the problems hampering polio eradication efforts, specifically with reference to cases detected in the city. He said that as per available data, most of the cases detected in Karachi were found in people who had come to the metropolis from other parts of the country. He reiterated the need to incorporate the migrant population in the overall anti-polio campaign instead of excluding it from official plans. The WHO official also stressed upon the government to ensure that migrants’ health, education and sanitation needs are met, particularly the provision of drinking water.
Karachi has always been a magnet for migrants from within Pakistan and abroad, primarily due to its status as the country’s economic capital. But ever since the armed forces initiated their operations against militants in the tribal belt and Malakand, a steady trickle of internally displaced persons has also been arriving in the city. It is imperative that those taking refuge in Karachi because of conflict or economic reasons are included in the anti-polio drive. And as Waziristan and Malakand have been relatively pacified, the federal and provincial governments should take the anti-polio drive to these areas, making it a priority to send immunisation teams to far-flung regions. The efficacy of the anti-polio vaccines and drops must also be guaranteed while the authorities should counter the negative propaganda generated by extremist elements regarding the vaccine.
With regard to the tribal areas and Malakand, if the government can prove it holds the welfare of the people dear by immunising their children and looking after their health needs, it may go a long way towards winning hearts and minds.
While discussing anti-polio efforts at the start of the latest eradication campaign in Karachi, the country representative of the World Health Organisation pointed to some of the problems hampering polio eradication efforts, specifically with reference to cases detected in the city. He said that as per available data, most of the cases detected in Karachi were found in people who had come to the metropolis from other parts of the country. He reiterated the need to incorporate the migrant population in the overall anti-polio campaign instead of excluding it from official plans. The WHO official also stressed upon the government to ensure that migrants’ health, education and sanitation needs are met, particularly the provision of drinking water.
Karachi has always been a magnet for migrants from within Pakistan and abroad, primarily due to its status as the country’s economic capital. But ever since the armed forces initiated their operations against militants in the tribal belt and Malakand, a steady trickle of internally displaced persons has also been arriving in the city. It is imperative that those taking refuge in Karachi because of conflict or economic reasons are included in the anti-polio drive. And as Waziristan and Malakand have been relatively pacified, the federal and provincial governments should take the anti-polio drive to these areas, making it a priority to send immunisation teams to far-flung regions. The efficacy of the anti-polio vaccines and drops must also be guaranteed while the authorities should counter the negative propaganda generated by extremist elements regarding the vaccine.
With regard to the tribal areas and Malakand, if the government can prove it holds the welfare of the people dear by immunising their children and looking after their health needs, it may go a long way towards winning hearts and minds.
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