Fight against polio intensifies: Govt vows renewed efforts to eradicate polio amid rising challenges

ISLAMABAD: As Pakistan’s fight against polio intensifies, Coordinator to the Prime Minister for Health, Dr. Mukhtar Ahmad Bharath, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to eradicating the disease during a visit to the National Emergency Operations Center for Polio on Tuesday.

Despite ongoing efforts, this year alone, the country has reported 17 new cases of polio, raising concerns about the effectiveness of its vaccination campaigns.

The briefing, which also included Ayesha Raza Farooq, the PM’s focal person for polio, shed light on the critical issues hampering Pakistan’s polio eradication programme. Among the biggest challenges are growing refusals by parents to vaccinate their children, coupled with reports of fraud involving fake finger markings, used to falsely indicate that children have been vaccinated.

“We are firmly dedicated to eradicating polio under the leadership of the prime minister,” said Dr. Mukhtar, who outlined the comprehensive strategy designed to combat polio in high-risk districts and union councils. “However, the battle cannot be won without the full cooperation of parents and communities.”

The ongoing polio campaign, which began on September 9 and is set to run until September 15, aims to vaccinate 30 million children under the age of five across 115 districts. Dr. Mukhtar stressed the vital role of the 286,000 polio workers who are going door to door to administer vaccines. “Our frontline workers are the real heroes in this battle,” he said.

Dr. Mukhtar called on parents to prioritize their children’s safety by cooperating with vaccination teams, emphasizing that the eradication of polio is both a religious and moral duty. “For the safe future of your children, please support the polio eradication teams,” he urged. “This fight cannot be won without the cooperation of every parent.”

In spite of Pakistan’s progress in reducing polio cases in recent years, the emergence of 17 new cases in 2024 is a troubling reminder of the ongoing vulnerability of the population. The country remains one of only two nations where polio is endemic, alongside Afghanistan. The persistence of polio in these regions continues to pose a global health risk.

International partners and health organizations, including UNICEF and the World Health Organization (WHO), have long supported Pakistan’s polio eradication efforts. However, the challenges posed by community resistance, operational inefficiencies, and fraud have made it increasingly difficult to achieve the goal of a polio-free Pakistan.

With only a few months remaining before the year ends, the pressure is mounting on the government to address the critical issues threatening the campaign. “We are working urgently with both federal and provincial authorities to ensure a polio-free future for our children,” Dr. Mukhtar concluded. Yet, unless these growing challenges are resolved, Pakistan’s hopes of eradicating polio may remain elusive.

Despite these efforts, increasing vaccine refusals, particularly in rural and conservative areas, have severely hindered the programme. Misinformation about the safety of the polio vaccine, fueled by mistrust of government initiatives and religious misinterpretations, has led many parents to deny their children the life-saving drops. Health workers have reported facing resistance, with some parents even accusing them of promoting foreign agendas.

Additionally, scandals surrounding fake finger markings — where polio workers allegedly mark children’s fingers to falsely indicate vaccination without actually administering the vaccine — have surfaced. These fraudulent practices have raised concerns about oversight and the integrity of the programme, casting doubt on official vaccination statistics.

“The issue of fake finger markings is a serious breach of trust,” said one health official, speaking anonymously. “It not only undermines our progress but also puts thousands of children at risk of contracting polio.”