PESHAWAR: The incidence of attacks on health workers during door-to-door polio vaccination campaigns has declined in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, enabling better immunisation coverage of previously inaccessible children. Officials attributed the improvement to enhanced security measures and strict supervision, which have allowed vaccinators to operate without fear.
Since 2012, 96 people, including 61 policemen, 27 health workers, and five civilians, had been killed in attacks related to polio drives, while 170 others were injured. Kidnappings of health workers were also a recurring challenge. This year, however, security enhancements have reduced such violent incidents, allowing health teams to reach more children than in previous years.
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Khyber Pakhtunkhwa recorded 18 polio cases this year, making it the province with the highest number in Pakistan’s national tally of 29. Officials noted that intensified surveillance and innovative vaccination strategies, including community-led initiatives in high-risk areas, were critical in reducing the number of unvaccinated children.
The province has divided southern KP into three categories: green areas with good access but quality challenges, community-led initiative areas, and black areas requiring intensive engagement. Officials said the combination of government support, security measures, and stricter accountability for health officials has significantly improved the polio campaign.
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Authorities stressed that the continued focus on protecting vaccinators, monitoring missed children, and introducing new approaches will be essential to interrupt transmission and eventually eradicate polio in KP.