In 2024, a young girl became the 72nd and last recorded polio victim of the year. Balochistan Province had 27 cases, followed by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa with 22, then Sindh with 21 and one each in Punjab and Islamabad. Recently, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif stated that, “the Government of Pakistan will not rest until we have ended the scourge of Polio from our borders.”
I remember many years ago when I was attending school in Hokitika, N.Z., that there was a girl who suffered from being a victim of polio. During those years, I recall nurses coming to school to administer polio drops (oral vaccines), which were quite tasty.
Polio or poliomyelitis is a viral infection. Lack of access to clean water increases the risk of transmission. There is no cure for the disease and paralysis caused by an infection is irreversible. In Pakistan, I have seen too many people of all ages limping along as best as they are able, being victims of this terrible, debilitating disease. Some wear a brace, while others hobble along with the aid of a solid stick. Others, having one leg badly weakened, grasp it with their hand so as to give support to the affected leg. My heart goes out to them as they must bear this burden for the rest of their lives. I also admire them for their courage, determination and for not complaining.
It is said that the polio virus entered Pakistan in the 1970‘s. In 1978, because of the many numbers of polio cases detected, there was an Extended Progressive Program of Immunization launched with the great hopes for polio control and eradication in the country. Unfortunately, this hope was undermined by a number of obstacles. Then, with another launch of the Pakistan Polio Eradication Program in 1994, there was a significant annual decline from nearly twenty thousand cases in the early 1990s to only eight cases in 2018, fourteen in 2019, 85 in 2020 to then just one in 2021. Tragically, the tide turned again with the number of recorded cases on the rise over the last few years to 72 in 2024.
Previously, despite meagre resources, old tools and lack of personnel, the results were good. Now it is tragic that a polio-free Pakistan appears to be a distant dream.
In Pakistan, with a population of 240 + million, there could be about 40 million children under the age of five who require the vaccination. Three doses are required annually so as to boost the immunity. Previously, despite meagre resources, old tools and lack of personnel, the results were good. Now it is tragic that a polio-free Pakistan appears to be a distant dream.
Many parents and localities persist in refusing their children to be inoculated. An issue that contributes to this is that the female literacy rate is stated to be 51 percent. Some think that the vaccination will result in infertility. It is also said that the house where Osama Bin Laden was living had active polio was confirmed through the information of health workers. Still some see it as a Western conspiracy! During the Inoculation Campaign of October 2024 in Sindh Province, a troubling trend emerged in that there were over 43,000 vaccine refusals. In many places, especially the northern areas of the country, armed security personnel accompany the health teams.
Despite this precaution, during 2024 at least twelve people, mostly police officers, were killed and dozens were injured during vaccination campaigns. One health worker stated, “We walk miles daily, often under threat, to save lives. We demand safety, respect and a proper service structure.”
Health workers are staioned at may places e.g., bus stops, railway stations, hospitals, health clinics, schools, etc. There are teams that walk from house to house peforming immunizatios.
Health workers are stationed at many places. e. g., bus stops, railway stations, hospitals, health clinics, schools, etc. There are teams that walk from house to house performing immunizations. The date is recorded on their records as well as being written on the door of the family house and the children‘s fingers dabbed in an ink pad. Once it is determined that the child is under 5 years, they are asked to put their arm over their head. If they are unable to touch their ear, then they are given the polio drops. The children cry out loudly as they fear that they will be receiving an injection.
Often, when I visit a family or celebrate the Sacrament of Baptism, the small children are fearful and cry out loudly. I try to comfort them with the help of their parents. As a part of the ceremony, I ask the parents if their child has been given the health inoculations, as well as informing them on the importance of sending their children to school. Parents need to be made aware that refusing the vaccine is not just a private decision but a public health hazard.
Afghanistan is the only other country in the world with polio cases. During 2024, it is reported that the polio cases in Afghanistan have decreased. In Pakistan, with the number of infections increasing, does the hard question need to be addressed? Are the Government and Health Officials truly committed to eradicating polio? A large amount of International Funding is received. The general public needs to know how the millions in aid have been utilized and why, despite these resources, we continue to fail our children.
Columban Fr. Daniel O’Connor lives and works in Pakistan
