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Last year a girl became the 72nd and last recorded Polio victim of 2024. Balochistan Province had 27 cases, followed by KhyberPokhtunkhwa with 22, then Sindh with 21 and 1 each in Punjab and Islamabad. Recently, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif stated. “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 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 that 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 effected 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 1990’s to 8 cases in 2018, 14 in 2019, 85 in 2020 to then just I in 2021. Tragically the tide turned again with the numbers of recorded cases on the rise over the last few years to 72 in 2024.
One health worker stated. “We walk miles daily, often under threat, to save lives. We demand safety, respect and a proper service structure.”
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 immunity. Previously, despite with 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 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 12 people, mostly police offices were killed and dozens injured during vaccination campaigns. Health workers are stationed at many places eg bus stops, railway stations, hospitals, health clinics, schools etc.
There are teams who 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 finger dabbed in an ink pad. In being able to determine 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 loudly. I try with the help of parents to comfort them. As a part of the ceremony, I ask the parents if their child has been given the health inoculations as well as informing them of 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 Dan O'Connor, lives and works in Pakistan
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