The battle against polio in Pakistan faces a tragic setback as a 23-month-old girl from Kharan district in Balochistan succumbed to the virus, bringing the total number of confirmed polio cases across the country to 15 this year. The girl’s death marks a somber moment in the ongoing efforts to eradicate the disease, particularly in Balochistan, where 12 of the 15 cases have been reported.
The young girl, a resident of Union Council South City A in Tehsil Kharan, passed away on August 19 in a local hospital in Quetta. Officials from the National Institute of Health (NIH) confirmed that she was infected with the polio virus, making her the latest victim in a region that has been severely affected by the disease.
According to the NIH, the child first showed symptoms on July 31, when she developed a high fever, followed by paralysis in her lower torso and neck muscles. The family initially treated her at home for five days before seeking medical attention on August 4 at a local health center. However, her condition worsened, and three days later, on August 7, she was taken to a private hospital where the polio virus was diagnosed.
The case was promptly investigated, and test samples were sent to the NIH, confirming the presence of the virus. Despite medical efforts, the girl succumbed to the disease on August 19, leaving her family and community in mourning.
This latest case highlights the ongoing challenges in Balochistan, where 12 of the country’s 15 polio cases this year have been reported. The affected districts include Dera Bugti, Chaman, Qila Abdullah, Quetta, Jhal Magsi, Zhob, Qila Saifullah, and now Kharan. The concentration of cases in Balochistan has raised alarms among health officials, who are struggling to contain the virus in the province.
The death of the girl in Kharan underscores the vulnerabilities in the region, where access to healthcare is limited, and public health initiatives face numerous obstacles, including security concerns and misinformation about vaccines. Despite ongoing vaccination campaigns, the virus continues to spread, particularly in remote areas where healthcare services are sparse.
Pakistan remains one of the few countries in the world where polio is still endemic. The country’s polio eradication efforts have been hampered by various factors, including logistical challenges, resistance to vaccination campaigns, and political instability in some regions.
The recent case in Kharan is particularly concerning as the child had no travel history, indicating that the virus is circulating within the local community. This situation poses a significant risk of further spread, especially in areas with low vaccination coverage.
Health officials are urging parents to ensure their children receive the polio vaccine, which is the most effective means of preventing the disease. The government, in collaboration with international health organizations, continues to conduct vaccination drives across the country, with a focus on high-risk areas like Balochistan.
The death of the 23-month-old girl in Kharan is a stark reminder of the challenges Pakistan faces in its fight against polio. While significant progress has been made over the years, the virus remains a persistent threat, particularly in regions like Balochistan, where healthcare infrastructure is weak, and vaccine hesitancy is common.
The government and health organizations are being called upon to intensify their efforts, ensuring that every child in the country is vaccinated against polio. The loss of even one child to a preventable disease like polio is a tragedy that underscores the importance of sustained and comprehensive public health campaigns.
As the country mourns the loss of yet another child to polio, the message is clear: the fight against this crippling disease is far from over, and it will require unwavering commitment and cooperation from all sectors of society to finally eradicate polio from Pakistan.
