4 kids crippled by polio in KP, Sindh

ISLAMABAD: Four more children have been crippled by the wild poliovirus in Pakistan, with two cases reported in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and two in Sindh, bringing the total number of cases this year to 63, officials confirmed on Friday.

The latest cases include a 32-month-old girl from DI Khan, an 84-month-old girl from Tank, a 36-month-old girl from Jacobabad, and a 132-month-old boy from Sukkur. These cases represent the ninth polio case in DI Khan, the third in Tank, the third in Jacobabad, and the first in Sukkur for 2024.

Officials from the Polio Eradication Initiative (PEI) have attributed this alarming resurgence to gaps in immunization coverage, mobility of populations, and operational challenges. Of the 63 cases reported so far, 26 are from Balochistan, 18 from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 17 from Sindh, and one each from Punjab and Islamabad.

“Polio is a devastating disease that permanently disables children. It has no cure, but multiple doses of the oral polio vaccine (OPV) provide lifelong immunity,” a health ministry spokesperson said.

To combat the resurgence, a nationwide polio vaccination campaign is set to begin on December 16. During this seven-day drive, vaccinators will go door to door in 143 districts, targeting over 44 million children under the age of five. The campaign will focus on reaching hard-to-access areas, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Sindh, where the virus is spreading rapidly due to population mobility and vaccine refusals.

Health authorities have urged parents to ensure their children receive the vaccine. “The oral polio vaccine is safe, effective, and the only protection against this disease. Welcoming vaccinators into your homes is critical to keeping children safe,” an official said.

Pakistan’s polio eradication efforts face significant challenges, including security concerns in southern KP, refusals driven by misinformation, and operational barriers. Despite these hurdles, the government remains committed to eradicating the virus with the support of international partners like WHO, UNICEF, and Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. As Pakistan continues its fight against polio, these latest cases underscore the urgency of sustained vaccination campaigns and strengthened health infrastructure.