Polio-free country?

This refers to the news report, ‘Infant becomes year’s second polio victim in city.’ The fate of the five-month-old baby highlights the fact that the authorities have still not been able to eradicate the disease from the country. Pakistan was on the verge of being a polio-free country, but its dreams were shattered when in August a seven-month-old boy was tested positive for the virus. The recent case is the second polio case of the current year. Although regular polio drives are being launched, the recent cases indicate that something more is needed to be done to save our children from this disease.
According to healthcare experts, polio drops cannot be effective if a child is suffering from malnutrition. Poverty is deeply rooted in our country. A majority of people are living below the poverty line. In most parts of Sindh, children die before they reach the age of five. Under such circumstances, they cannot provide nutritious diet to their children. Unless these children eat a balanced diet that meets all of their needs, no vaccination will be enough to save them from the disease. The healthcare sector must work diligently and pay attention to these issues.
Yousuf Wafa
Turbat