Pakistan: New polio victim appears in Punjab

A fresh polio case came to the forefront in a Punjab village, once again striking down tall claims of the Punjab Health Department in coping with the menace, despite billions of rupees spent by international donors, Pakistan Today has learnt. Eight-year-old Noorun Nisa of Bhalwal, Sargodha is the new victim of the virus which is now found in only three third world countries including Pakistan, India and Afghanistan. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation earmarked billions of rupees for bringing polio to an end in Pakistan, which remains far behind in performance. India, with its large population, only had one reported polio case last year. However, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO), this is the second polio case appearing in Punjab, the other one reported in Mianwali. A representative of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation met Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif only a few days ago, reiterating the resolve to eradicate polio. According to initial medical reports of the patient, Nisa was administered around eight to 10 doses of polio, yet she was found to be carrying the disease. This also raises a lot of questions on the efficacy of the vaccination being procured, besides reflecting on the routine expanded programme for immunisation (EPI). In a province already hit by measles, another consequence of flawed immunisation campaign, a fresh polio case is definitely not good news for the health department. Health Director General (DG) Dr Tanwir confirmed that a case had been reported and that teams had been set to investigate the matter. “Polio drops are administered only till five years of age and she is an eight-year-old. It only indicates that the immune system in the child was not strong enough and bares no reflection on the efficacy of the medicine. The disease is very rare after 5 years of age. The case is still being investigated. A report will also be furnished,” he said. Responding to a question, he said per WHO guidelines, the government will take all measures and more than one million children will be administered vaccination surrounding this district in the coming days. Health Secretary Hassan Iqbal said the government is investigating the matter since the case was reported only a couple of days ago. “Now that a case has appeared, we can only investigate the matter and evaluate possible causes,” he added. - See more at: http://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2013/06/16/news/national/new-polio-victim-appears-in-punjab/#sthash.UKI33BTq.dpuf