Polio eradication

In 1998, the World Health Assembly (WHA) resolved to launch the Global Polio Eradication Initiative at a time when poliovirus was endemic in more than 125 countries on five continents, paralysing more than 1000 children every day.
Today, polio is endemic only in Nigeria, India, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Egypt. According to latest statistic issues by the World Health Organisation (WHO), since 1998, some two billion children around the world have been immunised against polio with the help of a network which surrounds with some 20 million volunteers.
On the other hand, polio resurgence or importation has been reported in countries including Yemen, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Sudan, Cameron, Angola, Chad, Mali, Eritrea, Somalia, Nepal and Bangladesh.
The report revealed that as of 26th April 2006, a total of 1950 cases have been identified, out of which 478 cases have appeared in Yemen alone, which was polio-free years ago. Indonesia reported 303 wild polio cases, Ethiopia 22, Sudan 27 and 185 cases have been reported in Somalia.
It is worth mentioning here that the percentage cases in Pakistan contributing to the global burden of polio have decreased from nearly 27.7% in the year 200 to 1.4% to date. However, the global figures recently showed re-infection and outbreaks due to imported cases or re-establishment of wild poliovirus circulation in a few countries. The main reason for that is the inadequacy of routine immunisation activities.
Pakistan, which has yet to interrupt wild poliovirus transmission, has reported 28 cases in 2006 so far, 10 of which are in Punjab, 5 each in Sindh and NWFP, and 8 in Balochistan. In Sindh, 2 cases were reported from Larkana and 1 each from Sanghar, Ghotki and Jacobabad.
Despite all improvements being proceeded in Pakistan, WHO has pointed out a few very serious issues in Sindh owning to the polio eradication campaign which needs an urgent remedial action. This includes frequent administrative changes at district levels, inadequate cover to minority areas, lack of personal supervisory role of district co-ordination officers, and indifference of other line departments.
WHO recommended for complete eradication in countries like Pakistan with a combined high quality national immunisation days campaigns with advocacy campaigns to make routine immunisation of children.
This may be achieved with the co-operation of the Ministry of Health in conjunction of with the medical community and NGOs and all those who have some role in community education, including religious leaders, social workers, universities, mass media, teachers, women organisations, all political parties etc.
The report emphasised, with a few additional strategies, what should be developed to address a worrying gap in immunity between children in districts in the high-risk zones, and children in other districts. The clustering of cases in a few areas also suggests that the youngest children, under one year of age, are still being missed, especially in the high-risk areas.
I request the authorities concerned to pay attention to this sensitive matter for the sake of safe and healthy life of our future generations.