Polio problem

Some years ago, Pakistan faced several developmental challenges. The country struggled with poor connectivity, an underperforming healthcare system and limited public awareness on crucial issues. Yet, despite these limitations, Pakistan managed to significantly contain the spread of the poliovirus – if not eliminate it entirely. Today, with access to far more advanced tools and resources, Pakistan still finds itself grappling with what has become a relentless enemy. Once close to eradication, polio has again reared its head. On Wednesday, another case was confirmed in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) – the second in the province and the seventh in the country this year.

This resurgence comes just days after Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif launched the second nationwide anti-polio campaign of 2025, scheduled from April 21 to 27. Similarly, Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah inaugurated a provincial campaign on Monday. These efforts come on the heels of a deeply troubling announcement by the federal health minister: environmental samples have detected the presence of poliovirus in every district of Karachi. Alarmingly, in one area of the city, 34,000 out of 44,000 parents refused to vaccinate their children. Pakistan, along with Afghanistan, remains one of the last two countries in the world where polio is still endemic. According to the Pakistan Polio Eradication Programme, the last case of Type 2 poliovirus was reported in 1999, with official eradication declared in September 2015. Yet the challenge of eliminating the remaining strains has become increasingly formidable. Multiple factors have contributed to this struggle. Security concerns, vaccine hesitancy, and the widespread circulation of misinformation have severely hampered eradication efforts. Government data reveals that at least 200 polio workers have been killed while performing their duties. Tragically, this trend continues; on Wednesday, two Levies personnel protecting a vaccination team were shot dead by unknown assailants in Balochistan’s Mastung district.

Misinformation – especially via social media – has become a powerful tool for conspiracy theorists spreading doubt about vaccine efficacy. In parallel, unregulated urban growth has increased the risk of transmission in cities. Failing infrastructure, such as inadequate access to clean water and sanitation, compounds the challenge, making it harder for communities to maintain basic hygiene standards. While these issues are now widely recognised, the government must shift focus towards concrete solutions that can drive immunisation rates higher. Alongside schools, religious seminaries and madrassas should be required to demand polio vaccination certificates for student admission. Modest fines could be issued to parents who refuse vaccination without valid cause. Year-round vaccination centres should also be established in communities where hesitancy is high. These centres could serve as hubs for information, staffed by trained professionals ready to address parental concerns and offer medical advice in case of side effects. Pakistan’s journey to becoming polio-free is long and fraught with obstacles. A firm, balanced and people-centric approach is needed to overcome these. Giving up is simply not an option.