From tall claims of ‘total eradication’ to ‘shocking re-emergence’ of the dreadful disease ‘polio’, in Pakistan, it is indeed a complete U-turn. The matter is not only grave but also challenging. After decades of planning and heavy investment (both indigenous and foreign) Pakistan stands where it stood, several years ago, vis-à-vis its polio eradication program.
This menacingly dangerous disease which earlier crippled thousands of children, across the length and breadth of the country, with immeasurable ferocity, seems to have struck back, once again, maliciously.
While Pakistan is facing scathing criticism of the developed world for the rising polio cases in the country, those at the helm in the government seem to be at loss to appreciate the gravity of the situation.
A comprehensive strategy to deal with this grave problem, on war footings, is the need of the hour. Reasons for re-emergence of polio in Pakistan could be many, but one very important reason is reluctance of parents to give polio drops to their children.
This is particularly true when looked at from the point of view of over 70 percent of Pakistan’s unlettered population living in the rural areas of the country. Ignorance vis-à-vis the polio eradication program, due to illiteracy, is the main cause that is keeping the rural parents away from giving polio drops to their children.
A question that arises is as to how this grave problem should be addressed, so that the polio eradication program in the country could be made effective.
One very important element that comes to mind is immediate revitalization of the inert country-wide polio education campaign.
Secondly, and most importantly, a law making the use of polio drops compulsory for children up to the age of five should be framed by the government, on priority basis, and put into practice urgently.
An equally important element in the given scenario is taking effective confidence building measures to make the polio eradication drive acceptable to the people without any fear. This particular issue could be addressed by ensuring:
(1) that the quality of the polio medicine being dispensed is of top quality and
(2) that there is no ulterior motive behind the polio eradication program, except welfare of the children. Support from the international donors towards polio eradication program in Pakistan has declined over the years.
To regain their confidence and support and to motivate the people to positively respond to the polio eradication initiative of the government, tangible measures like the ones cited above will have to be adopted without further loss of time.
M FAZAL ELAHI
Lahore
