Pakistan Struggles to Eradicate Polio

Pakistan remains one of only two countries worldwide where polio, a highly infectious viral disease that primarily affects children, is still endemic. Despite billions of dollars invested and extensive vaccination campaigns, the country continues to battle the disease.

Polio is caused by the poliovirus and spreads through contaminated water or food. It can lead to paralysis, and in severe cases, death. Symptoms include fever, fatigue, headache, vomiting, stiffness in the neck and pain in the arms and legs.

According to an interview published by Al-Jazeera on August 8, Dr. Hamid Jafari, WHO’s regional director of polio eradication, attributes Pakistan’s ongoing struggle to factors including insecurity, community resistance, misinformation, and the movement of populations. While progress has been made, with the number of polio cases decreasing, challenges persist in reaching remote and marginalized communities, Jafari reiterated.

The WHO regional director also maintains that Efforts to eradicate polio in Pakistan are hampered by factors such as militant activity, mistrust of government programs, and the spread of misinformation about the vaccine. The WHO remains optimistic that the country can eventually eliminate polio but emphasizes the need for sustained efforts and addressing the underlying social and security challenges.