Polio remains a persistent threat in the countries of Afghanistan and Pakistan. In recent years, Pakistan has made significant progress in reducing the number of cases, with only five cases reported this year compared to 20,000 cases annually in 1994. However, despite this progress, the disease continues to spread, and health workers and security officials continue to face challenges such as harassment, threats, and violence while working to vaccinate communities.
To tackle the issue, Pakistan administers over 300 million doses of oral vaccine each year with the help of 350,000 vaccinators as part of the Pakistan Polio Eradication Programme. Unfortunately, health workers also face low pay, salary delays, and difficult working conditions. Some workers report being paid as little as 1,360 rupees (approximately $5) for an eight-hour day. Even polio survivors working on the eradication campaign receive minimal benefits, forcing them to navigate challenging terrain and weather conditions with little support.
Despite these obstacles, health workers and polio survivors continue to dedicate themselves to the eradication of polio in Pakistan. Their resilience and bravery in the face of adversity are crucial in the fight against this debilitating disease. As we move forward towards a polio-free future for Pakistan and beyond, we must recognize and honor their efforts while continuing to support them in their mission to eradicate polio once and for all.
