Painful loop

PAKISTAN’S polio situation has drastically deteriorated with the country now reporting 24 cases this year — four times as high as in 2023. Two cases reported from Hyderabad in as many days signals a resurgence of the disease in Sindh, which reported two cases all of last year. A 29-month-old boy, recently vaccinated, has nonetheless contracted the virus. While officials claim the vaccine weakened the virus, the child still suffers from paralysis — a reminder that even partial vaccination is not enough. This raises concerns about the effectiveness of the government’s efforts. It says that the recent nationwide vaccination drive reached 33m children, which is commendable. But there have been reports of number fudging. Furthermore, the rise in cases, especially the seven reported since the vaccination campaign concluded on Sept 14, points to significant gaps. These gaps must be addressed immediately, particularly in high-risk areas such as Balochistan and Sindh, which account for the majority of new cases.
A major obstacle in this fight is parental refusal, often driven by misinformation and mistrust. Why are parents rejecting life-saving vaccines? Is it fear? Misinformation? Or coordinated disinformation campaigns, particularly on social media, that have contributed to their scepticism? The government must launch an awareness campaign that not only combats disinformation but also builds community trust. Religious leaders, local influencers, and medical professionals should be mobilised to stress that polio has no cure, but it can be prevented. Furthermore, operational gaps need to be plugged in. Every child, especially in high-risk areas, needs to be vaccinated. Without exception. The government has a lofty goal to curb transmission by mid-2025, but this needs to be backed by better oversight and improved management at every level. If swift action is not taken, Pakistan will remain stuck in this painful loop, while the world forges ahead in health and development. Let us do better by our children. We must not let them down.
Published in Dawn, October 2nd, 2024