First polio case reported in Islamabad after 16 years

KARACHI: Another case of polio has been reported in Pakistan this year, after which the number of polio cases this year has increased to 17.

According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), polio virus has been confirmed in a child from Islamabad’s Union Council 4, after which a polio case has reported after about 16 years in federal capital.

According to the NIH the presence of polio virus has been found in the June environmental samples of the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi.

On the other hand, Prime Minister’s Focal Person for Polio Eradication Ayesha Raza Farooq said that unfortunately another Pakistani child has been affected by polio. She said the government has made a comprehensive road map to stop the spread of polio.

Regarding polio cases in the country, Coordinator National Emergency Operations Center Anwar ul Haque said that we are intensifying efforts to deliver polio vaccine to every child.

From September 9-13, the Polio Programme will launch a large-scale vaccination campaign across 115 districts to vaccinate 33 million children under the age of five.

Vaccinators will go door-to-door to deliver the oral polio vaccine (OPV), to reach children in hard-to-reach and underserved areas.

On the other hand, Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) is deeply shocked about the recent surge in polio cases reported in Pakistan, particularly in the capital city of Islamabad. As the leading voice of healthcare professionals in the country, PMA is alarmed by the re-emergence of this preventable disease and its impact on the health and well-being of our children.

Dr. Abdul Ghafoor Shoro, Secretary General of PMA, has emphasized the urgent need for increased vaccination efforts and public awareness campaigns to address the growing threat of polio in Pakistan.

Dr. Shoro stated, “The recent polio cases in Islamabad are explicit reminder of the importance of vaccination and the need for a coordinated response to protect our children from this debilitating disease.”

PMA calls on the government, healthcare providers, and the public to prioritize polio eradication efforts and ensure that every child receives the necessary vaccinations to prevent the spread of the virus. Vaccination campaigns must be intensified, and community engagement initiatives must be strengthened to reach every child, especially in high-risk areas.

Dr. Shoro reiterated PMA’s commitment to supporting polio eradication efforts and working collaboratively with government agencies, international partners, and the community to achieve a polio-free Pakistan.

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