Pakistan continues to struggle with eradicating polio as it remains one of the only two countries in the world where the virus is still endemic. Despite efforts to administer over 300 million doses of oral vaccine annually and an expenditure of more than $9.3bn from 2013 to 2023, the country has reported 362 polio cases since 2015.
In a recent interview with Al Jazeera, Dr. Hamid Jafari, WHO’s regional director of polio eradication, discussed the challenges faced by Pakistan in eradicating polio. He mentioned that while progress has been made in reducing the number of genetic clusters of the virus, certain regions, especially in southern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, present significant challenges due to political instability, insecurity, and community resistance.
Jafari highlighted the impact of boycotts, refusals, and fake figures on the vaccination campaign, as well as the targeting of polio workers and security officials. He emphasized the importance of maintaining positive relations with communities and reaching hard-to-reach populations to stop transmission and achieve eradication.
Despite the challenges, Jafari remains hopeful that with continued efforts and focus on reaching specific subpopulations, progress towards eradicating polio in Pakistan can be achieved. The interview sheds light on the complexities and nuances of the polio eradication efforts in the country, emphasizing the need for sustained commitment and collaboration to overcome the remaining barriers.
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Photo credit www.aljazeera.com
