The struggle of polio
entangled Pakistan…..
Pakistan has survived
huge challenges in eradicating the lethal virus “the Polio Virus” and still
struggling. Pakistan is one of those three remaining countries where polio
virus is dysfuntioning precious lives, along with Afghanistan and Nigeria. Since
forever Poliomyelitis has been
stabbing Pakistan, paralyzing worthy dreams, depriving them to aspire and to
spread their wings in the real world. WHO,
UNICEF, Bill and Melinda Gates
foundation are some crucial organization that have been systemically
contributing to eradicate Polio Virus from Pakistan. Battle against polio was
first started in early 1990s when around 20000 Poliomyelitis cases were
reported. Cases reported in such huge figure was nothing but an alarming threat
for the entire nation. Through potential efforts of government and numerous
health care organizations, situation was taken under control. Evident decline
in virus transmission was observed for over years until in 2011, when the highest number
of polio cases were reported again. Consequently, emergency had been declared
by the Government which led to potential decline in virus transmission. Despite
declaring emergency against polio virus, still in 2019 few cases have been
reported. Through door to door OPV (oral polio vaccine) campaign this problem
has been overcome to higher extent. Government also facilitates locals by
providing IPV (inactivated polio virus) shots at nearest health care centers.
Besides Government effort to ensure complete removal of polio, we as a nation
should also take a stand to secure our future generation. In past few years,
numerous cases were highlighted where Polio health visitors were being threatened
to death, Female health visitors went through harassment, sexual violation,
civilians were not cooperating with volunteers. Numerous misconceptions
circulate across Pakistan over polio vaccination, causing major hurdles in
getting rid of polio from Pakistan.
There is a group of
believers exists in Pakistan who consider vaccination Haram (misdeed). As per
their belief, Allah (God) has written every one’s fate how come a vaccine may secure
them from any mishappenings of future.Another rumor had been spread against OPV
campaign, that these vaccine may lead to infertility, upon exposure, as that
was a US made agenda to decline the Muslim Population.
Those misconception led
to the onset of more paralysis in certain areas of Pakistan. Through educating
them constantly in this regard, it was made possible to progress vaccination in
those areas. Through educating numerous people, it has become possible that
within the time span of four years FATA has been declared as polio free region,
this is a huge milestone in Pakistan’s history of fighting against polio virus.
Pakistan has systemically loosen the polio ropes tied around it but still yet
to cover long journey for absolute removal of it. Despite all the hurdles,
Pakistan is near to eradicate poliomyelitis
completely.
Numerous positive approaches have seen by
local like allowing to make their house a polio station, cooperating with
health visitors, people visiting health camps to get their child vaccinated. Let’s
hold each other’s hand and make Pakistan poliomyelitis
free, our combine effort as a nation can make significant difference.Let’s
contribute our part to unwind the polio ropes in which Pakistan has been
entangled for so long.
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