Nothing signifies the fact that the world has nearly completely defeated polio than the fact that in 2020 Africa was declared polio-free. Only two countries of the world currently face the problem of polio infections, Afghanistan and Pakistan. Unfortunately, conspiracy theories, uncoordinated health campaigns and a general scepticism towards vaccination has led to the entirely preventable crippling disease still being prevalent especially in the Northern part of Pakistan. 2020, for example, saw outbreaks of polio as well as attacks on polio workers.
However, where there is a will, there is a way. If the rest of the world can eliminate polio, we can too with the right approach. This is the mindset Pakistan seems to have adopted this year, and against all odds, it seems to be working. The national vaccination campaign that kicked off in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in September has been a game-changer and is being described by experts as crucial for maintaining the progress made towards polio eradication in the country. The campaign aimed to administer to over 40 million children under five years of age the vaccination drops along with a suppleme¬ntary dose of Vitamin-A capsule- the most ambitious goal yet.
The aggressive campaign is clearly showing results–Deputy Executive Director of UNICEF Omar Abdi has stated that UNICEF sees the possibility of an end to polio in Pakistan. Only one wild poliovirus case and eight type 2 cases were reported this year as of October. In comparison, wild poliovirus affected 84 while 135 children were infected by type 2 virus in Pakistan last year. This is a 99 percent decline in the type 1 virus.
Why has this year brought this rapid change? Apart from the aggressive campaign, more affordable health policies, such as the Sehat card, and an awareness of public health around the world, has led to more coordinated programs aimed at tackling preventable diseases. While the fight against polio should be completed, the same approach must also be employed for problems like malnutrition and access to clean water.
