It is too late for the federal and provincial authorities to do anything about the existing cases of polio. But the increasing number of cases occurring in Balochistan, Fata region and Sindh should ring alarm bells. There is a dire need to allocate funds for polio eradication from indigenous resources rather than banking totally on donors’ contribution. India provides a good model by allocating $2 billion from its national kitty for this purpose.
The Technical Advisory Group (TAG) is reported to have called for devising a programme involving parliamentarians, educational, professional and religious bodies and the private sector in polio eradication campaign. The on-going campaign to administer drops to children needs closer monitoring. To improve campaign quality, TAG has recommended effective monitoring of vaccinator teams at UC and district levels. Motivation and training of vaccinators should be a priority for the concerned government departments, especially in high-risk areas. There have been reports of sub-standard vaccine being used that is likely to cause more harm to children’s health than benefit them. Ninety-eight fresh cases have been reported during 2011-12 and there is a danger that the WHO might declare a Pakistan-specific emergency causing difficulties for travelling Pakistanis. Such a situation must be averted.