Being one of the last remaining countries to still have polio rampant within the state, Pakistan has been working on polio-reduction campaigns since the early 90s. The other two countries that still carry the virus are Afghanistan and Nigeria.

However, since the inauguration of the Polio Eradication Programme in Pakistan in 1994, the country has experienced a massive decline in polio cases. From documenting about 20,000 polio cases in Pakistan every year in the early 90s to recording only eight in 2018, the nation has achieved significant success in eradicating polio.
Despite that, the country still faces many challenges, including the safety of its healthcare workers.
Challenges of the Polio Eradication Programme in Pakistan
Even though there have been breakthroughs in fighting against the virus, the nation is polio-endemic, unless every person works together to eradicate the virus within the country. As long as the virus is still circulating in the air, no child is safe.

The second challenge that the polio healthcare workers in Pakistan face is the danger to their lives as most workers often face threats, and taunts and are sometimes physically targeted. It is reported that about 102 workers have been murdered in the field, including during campaigns.
Many workers have been assigned government police officers to protect them, but they still face this issue. Moreover, these health workers also have to deal with issues like tough working conditions and low salaries.
These are some serious challenges that make them question if they should be pursuing this deadly occupation. So, the question is how can we prevail over these challenges and eradicate polio for good?
Solutions and Strategies to Overcome Polio in the Future
Polio campaigns in Pakistan have enabled us to make notable developments to stop its spread in the country. The number of cases has reached an all-time low, and the immunity gaps among children are steadily decreasing. A variety of strategies and resources are being utilized to assist Pakistan in achieving its goal of eliminating polio completely. These strategies and resources are detailed in the National Emergency Action Plan of the Pakistan Polio Eradication Programme (NEAP), which includes specific objectives, targets, milestones, and indicators to steer the program toward its aim of zero polio cases.

However, here are some strategies that the government of Pakistan and the healthcare workers can use to ensure a polio-free Pakistan:
- High-quality polio campaigns in Pakistan can effectively target the most vulnerable children across the country, enhancing overall population immunity.
- Operations can be efficiently managed under government supervision, utilizing a “one team under one roof” approach through the establishment of Emergency Operation Centres at both provincial and federal levels.
- The Government should demonstrate strong commitment, with senior officials from the program reporting directly to the Prime Minister.
- The program can improve its capacity for surveillance, detection, and response.
In the End
As the nation, Pakistan continues to prioritize the health of its most vulnerable populations, the path toward achieving zero polio cases becomes increasingly attainable, reflecting a promising future for public health in Pakistan. To learn more about how we can help polio workers achieve their goals, have a look at our latest documentary, which is set to be released in cinemas very soon.