Concern mounts over increasing number of polio in Pakistan

As concern mounts over the increasing number of polio cases throughout the country despite massive efforts, UNICEF and WHO have stepped up efforts to determine how the two UN agencies could help revitalize efforts to stem cases of this debilitating disease, the UNICEF said on Saturday.

UNICEF and WHO are working closely within the Global Polio Partnership and with Federal and Provincial Governments with the common aim of vaccinating every child in Pakistan against the highly contagious polio virus to eradicate polio forever in Pakistan by 2012.

With 37 cases reported so far in Pakistan compared to 18 for the same period last year, every effort must be made to support and implement the National Emergency Plan 2011 for Polio Eradication, officials said.

WHO Pakistan Representative, Dr. Guido Sabatinelli, and UNICEF Pakistan Representative, Dan Rohrmann, visited several high risk areas in south port city of Karachi area to witness the National Polio Immunization, a united effort by all partners to vaccinate a targeted 33 million children around the country with 2 drops of polio vaccine and a dose of Vitamin A.

Sabatinelli said that there are a number of reasons for Pakistan's high rate of polio cases.

"Getting access to communities in some parts of the country is a real issue, while educating families about the vital importance of immunizing their children is an on-going task. Children growing up in poor communities are more likely to suffer poor health and malnutrition, both of which can contribute to the need for more doses of polio vaccine to achieve immunity," he said.

Rohrmann said that eradicating polio has the commitment of all national and international partners and significant resources being devoted to nationwide polio initiatives so time is opportune to turn the tide.

"The visit to Karachi was an important opportunity to witness one of the most challenging and high-risk environments for the spread of polio. Talking with polio workers and other staff on the front lines of the campaign was a great inspiration to continue the hard work required to eradicate polio from Pakistan," he said.

Further polio immunization days at both national and sub- national levels will be run throughout the year, with the aim of reaching tens of millions of children.

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