Balochistan still at risk of poliovirus circulation: WHO

WHO Representative to Pakistan Dr, Ni’ma Saeed Abid and Country Representative of UNICEF Dan Rohrmann visited Quetta to meet high government functionaries and discuss the risk of poliovirus circulation in the province. The UN officials met Chief Minister of Balochistan Dr. Abdul Malik Baloch and Minister of Health Rahmat Baloch. They appreciated the immense efforts put by the Government to improve oversight and accountability of the polio campaigns, and shared their observations regarding the current situation.

“Balochistan has shown remarkable progress in Polio Eradication in last two years” said Dr. Jawahir Habib Communication Specialist from UNICEF Quetta.

“However, the province is still at a risk of polio virus circulation due to sub optimal quality of campaigns and extensive population movement between the provinces and across the borders “, she added.

Balochistan had no polio cases last year; however confirmation of virus in environmental sample and recent polio case in Helmand district of southern Afghanistan has placed 2.24 million children of Balochistan at a risk of polio outbreak. The Minister of Health in a press conference shared that Polio Eradication is a top priority for the Government of Balochistan and efforts will be intensified to sustain the progress made in the program.

“I am personally monitoring the polio campaigns to ensure accountability” said Baloch. “Routine Immunization rates in Balochistan are lowest in the country, and current government is focusing on strengthening Expanded Program on Immunization” he added Meanwhile, it is reported from Lahore that the Extended Programme for Immunization (EPI) of the Health Department of Punjab has declared 292 union councils of seven districts at high risk of polio cases.Talking to APP here on Sunday, Additional Director of EPI Dr Nazir Hussain said that on February 10 an anti-polio drive had been launched in the high-risk UCs of seven districts including 67 UCs of Lahore, 37 of Multan, 20 of Mianwali, 37 of Faisalabad, 51 of Toba Tek Singh, 28 of Rawalpindi and 52 of Attock district.