A three-day countrywide anti-polio campaign is underway in 83 high-risk districts of the country. In the campaign around 17 million children would be provided with polio vaccines. It is pleasing news that despite some security threats anti-polio campaign has been initiated across the country. Due to the steady efforts of the government to provide better security cover to polio workers, decline in the polio cases has been witnessed.
Report of UNICEF also proves betterment in the country regarding eradication of polio. In the last year polio incidences dropped by almost 85 percent and only 50 cases of polio were reported from across the country. In years before increasing number of polio cases were a cause of worry for Pakistan. Because the bitter truth is that Pakistan and Afghanistan are the only two countries in the world which remain on the polio endemic list.
Even the least developed countries including African states have overcome this disease. International pressure also compelled the decision makers in the country to look into the matter with serious intentions; else country could face number of restrictions. Putting ban on Pakistani international travelers without polio certificate was also on the cards. There is also need to launch a massive media awareness campaign because refusal of parents to get their children vaccinated also contributing negatively. Another negative propaganda also prevailing in some remote areas is that anti-polio campaign is initiated by west against Muslims. With this development, the country has recorded a major victory in the fight against the disease. But the road to achieve the target of polio-free Pakistan is long and steady efforts are required.
Making Pakistan a polio-free country is a shared responsibility.