While the epidemiology is worrisome, the country programme was rightly placed to reverse the current virus tide through effective implementation of consensus strategy devised by the federal and provincial governments along with all stakeholders. This was stated by Dr Mukhtar Ahmad Bharath while chairing a high level meeting convened to review the progress in the wake of recent polio cases reported from different provinces. Participants included Federal Secretary Health Nadeem Mehboob, the National and provincial Coordinators of the Polio Program, as well as the representatives from international organizations. The forum conducted a thorough review of the current polio situation and efforts being undertaken to halt the intense outbreak resulting in 32 polio cases and 68 districts having evidence of wild polio virus presence during 2024 so far. Pertinent to note that after getting closest ever to eradication in 2021 and no polio case for almost 15 months, the virus sparked back in South KP giving 20 cases in 2022. However, after reintroduction of virus from across the border, the surge starting in 2023 has continued unabated spreading geographically in Pakistan and similar developments across the border in Afghanistan. Following an overview of the current risk by the National Coordinator and update on the progress on 2-4-6 strategy, the Provincial coordinators briefed the forum on measures being undertaken to protect the vulnerable children from devastation of the paralysing virus alongside challenges being faced on ground. As of this year, 2024, a total of 32 polio cases have been reported in Pakistan. Among these, 16 cases were reported from Balochistan, 10 from Sindh, 4 from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and 1 case each from Punjab and Islamabad. Notably, 20 of the affected children did not receive any routine vaccinations, while 5 children had not received the house-to-house administered polio vaccine as well. Dr. Mukhtar Bharath also noticed that children who missed vaccinations all together are experiencing severe disease manifestations. Conversely, children receiving inadequate doses of the vaccine still remain susceptible to the virus, albeit with much milder illness. Drawing from the evidence Dr. Mukhtar Bharath urged provincial health departments on intense focus on strengthening routine immunisation. Stressing parental responsibilities, he further stressed all parents to fulfill their religious obligations to protect their children against all vaccine preventable diseases including polio ensuring their up to date essential Immunization besides vaccinating them in every door to door campaign planned by the programme. Dr Bharath further expressed his confidence on the very capable team and stood reassured by the fact that the country currently had one of the best surveillance systems globally, detecting the polio virus even in children with mild weaknesses. “Under the leadership of the Prime Minister of Pakistan, there is a strong commitment to eradicating polio across the political divide. The federal and provincial governments have jointly formulated a comprehensive and effective strategy to reverse the current virological trends by end of 2024 and therein hunt the virus in its late hideouts to interrupt transmission next year”, Dr Bharath stated. Besides complementary activities under integrated service delivery in select pockets, the strategy includes delivering three high quality vaccination campaigns during Sept - Dec aimed at plugging the widespread immunity gap and halting further virus transmission. The forum was briefed that September polio campaign was notably successful, vaccinating 33 million children in 115 districts. A nationwide campaign is scheduled be conducted from October 28 to November 3, to vaccinate 45.4 million under children across. In December, a third quality campaign will aim to give further immunity boost reversing the tide of current virus spread. The forum also observed with interest the rollout of "Big Catch-Up" campaign in Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Balochistan, aimed at providing all EPI antigens, including the polio vaccine, to all children under five who missed either of the vaccines previously on either account. Dr Bharath urged maximal EPI-PEI coordination to have win-win for both programs simultaneously. “Coordination with Afghanistan is a priority to prevent cross-border transmission and we are looking forward to incoming health dialogue for synchronised efforts during next months”, Dr Mukhtar shared. Dr. Mukhtar Bharath concluded by stating that the war against polio cannot be won without the support of the people from all walks of life and urged all segments of society to contribute towards the noble cause of protecting current as well as future generations from polio scourge forever.
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