Eradicate Polio
Several people have
been killed in the latest wave of violence against polio vaccinators in
Pakistan. The attacks undermine government efforts to eradicate the virus in
one of the few countries where it remains endemic.
Polio is
a highly infectious viral disease, mainly affecting children younger than 5. It
can cause permanent paralysis and death, but can be prevented through
immunization. The virus is spread through contaminated food and water.
Lack of proper access to anti-polio vaccination
has led to a rise in polio cases in the South Asian nation. Pakistan,
Afghanistan and Nigeria are the only countries in the world where polio remains
endemic. The number of polio cases in Pakistan rose from 58 in 2012 to 91 in
2013, out of which 65 were located in the remote tribal region bordering
Afghanistan.
In 1991, due to financial constraints, only
83 percent of Pakistani children had been vaccinated. Intensive
eradication campaigns such as door-to-door vaccinations only started after
1999. Recognizing the efforts of Rotary
International, who contributed about $12 million to the cause, the
government of Pakistan issued a postage stamp on the hundredth anniversary of
that organization in December 2000.
In March
2001 about 27 million children were vaccinated across the country, in the
hope that Pakistan could be virus-free by the end of that year
Thousands of families refused
polio drops because of misconceptions as well as religious and traditional
beliefs. Some believed that the vaccine causes impotency. Awareness
program within the communities is a need of time.
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#PolioFreePakistan
#EradicatePolio
