Pakistan has once again launched a nationwide polio eradication campaign, aiming to vaccinate more than 28 million children under the age of five across 99 districts. In just the first five days (the campaign started last Monday), 18 million children were vaccinated – a promising figure, but still short of the scale required to contain the virus. The urgency is clear: since the beginning of this year, 24 polio cases have been confirmed, with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) leading at 16 cases, Sindh recording six and Punjab and Gilgit-Baltistan one case each. Balochistan, notably, has yet to report a case – a reminder that the virus can indeed be controlled if prevention measures are consistently and properly implemented. Yet despite decades of campaigns, Pakistan remains one of only two countries where polio is still endemic. The data itself paints a troubling picture: six cases in 2023, a staggering jump to 74 in 2024, and while 2025 may close with fewer cases than last year, the trend is far from reassuring. Polio has become a stubborn, cumbersome challenge for authorities, one that continues to evade total eradication despite immense resources, international support and countless vaccination drives.
Why do we keep falling short? The answer essentially lies in the pervasive mistrust between the people and the state. In a country where millions lack uninterrupted electricity, clean water or even basic healthcare, many people view official vaccination drives with suspicion. That distrust is further compounded by years of broken promises and poor governance. While such scepticism cannot excuse parents from denying their children lifesaving vaccines, it does highlight the broader failure of the state to build confidence in its own health initiatives. Amid these challenges, it is worth remembering the real heroes of Pakistan’s polio fight: the health workers and security personnel who risk their lives in every campaign. Many have been harassed; too many have been killed in targeted attacks. Their dedication to saving children from a crippling disease, often in the face of hostility, makes them the backbone of this national struggle.
Complicating matters further are widespread misconceptions and conspiracy theories. On social media, falsehoods about vaccines spread faster than factual information. Opportunists peddle misinformation for clout, with little thought for the irreversible damage inflicted on children whose parents are misled. In this climate, clear and compassionate communication becomes vital. Encouragingly, political representatives have stepped forward to publicly urge parents to vaccinate their children. Such leadership – direct, visible and empathetic – must become the norm, not the exception. Ultimately, the responsibility lies with both parents and the state. Parents must shield their children from a preventable disease, while the government must work harder to bridge the trust deficit. That means that more than press conferences it requires a sustained, grassroots effort that meets people where they are, acknowledges their struggles and shows genuine care. Only then can Pakistan hope to consign polio to history.
Editorial Published in The News on September 08, 2025.
