Polio success

We had made significant progress in fighting polio during the last one year. In 2015, Pakistan reported a total of 52 polio cases, as opposed to 306 in 2014. This is a success of great proportions and for this we should thank polio workers and government teams. More than 350 polio workers have lost their lives to this national cause and they continue to face threats.

Punjab was the most successful province in the fight against this disease in 2015. The province reported two polio cases from the country’s total of 52. In 2014, Punjab had reported four cases out of 306 cases. This is a remarkable achievement given the nature and epidemiology of the disease. With this progress there is hope that the country will be able to eradicate polio. However, challenges remain. Except for seven top districts in Punjab with over 90 percent routine immunisation coverage, the remaining parts of the province have a long distance to go. The government, therefore, needs to stay focused on polio.

Anam Sairah Khan

Lahore