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Pakistan government has decided to escalate its effort to eradicate polio. Emergence of new cases has forced international institutions and foreign governments to put restrictions on the country. The decision was taken in a meeting held Tuesday which was presided over by the federal government's focal person on polio Aiysha Raza. The meeting was held to rid the country of the polio, with special reference to Balochistan, Dawn online reported.
Expressing serious concerns over increasing polio cases, they decided to remove hurdles faced by polio teams in Fata, Karachi and parts of Balochistan. It was noted that refusal of parents to administer vaccines to their wards was adding to the number of cases.
'Government was utilising all available resources to control polio disease,' Raza said.
Unlike most diseases, polio can be completely eradicated
There are three strains of wild polio virus, none of which can survive for long periods outside of the human body. If the virus cannot find an unvaccinated person to infect, it will die out. Type 2 wild poliovirus was eradicated in 1999.
Cheap and effective vaccines are available to prevent polio
There are two forms of vaccine available to ward off polio oral polio vaccine (OPV) and inactivated polio vaccine (IPV). Because OPV is an oral vaccine, it can be administered by anyone, even volunteers. One dose of OPV can cost as little as 11 US cents.
Every child must be vaccinated to eradicate polio
This includes those living in the most remote and/or underserved places on the planet. 'Days of Tranquility' are negotiated so that vaccination teams can reach children living in conflict zones. All manner of transport is used from donkeys to motorbikes to helicopters to reach children in remote areas or difficult terrain.
With inputs from IANS
Image source: Getty Images
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