Daily Times

Sir: Pakistan is one of the few countries in the world where polio has still not been eradicated completely. The lack of proper governance and accountability, together with local groups in certain rural areas opposing vaccination, are jeopardising efforts to rid the country of this disease. Around three decades ago, there were an estimated 400,000 polio cases a year worldwide; thanks to a cheap and effective vaccine, the annual global number is now roughly 1,000. However, according to the World Health Organisation, as many as 200,000 Pakistani children were not given their polio vaccinations in the last two years, with Balochistan and FATA being the worst affected areas. Children in southern Sindh, an area that has been affected by floods for two years running, has also suffered from polio. As a result, children in Pakistan are still being disabled by polio despite efforts having been made to eradicate the disease.

The Pakistan government needs to act decisively in this regard. In some areas of the country, extremist elements do not allow the administration of the polio vaccine believing it to be ‘against Islam’. The public needs to be educated about the disease and its vaccination. It needs to ask religious scholars to help educate people who refuse to allow their children the oral polio vaccine. It is very important for Pakistan that this disease is eliminated and high levels of immunity are maintained against it among the population.

SYEDA AMNA FATIMA ZAIDI

Karachi