January 18, 2025
By Dauran Baloch
QUETTA
Polio virus has once again taken a dangerous turn in Balochistan. So far this year, 26 polio cases have been reported in the province, posing serious threats to public health and national efforts to eradicate polio. Environmental samples taken from the provincial capital, Quetta, have consistently tested positive for several months, highlighting the severity of the virus’s spread.
According to health experts, the major reasons behind the spread of the polio virus are parents’ refusal to vaccinate their children and a lack of awareness. In Balochistan, approximately 30,000 parents are refusing to give their children polio drops. This hesitation is largely due to misinformation, rumors, and social attitudes that are hindering the success of the polio eradication campaign.
Mohammad Asif, the Community Communication Officer for the Polio Program in Quetta District, told Voicepk.net that all 26 reported polio cases in Balochistan have affected children. A significant number of parents are refusing the polio vaccine due to widespread misinformation and rumors. Some parents believe the polio vaccine is part of a family planning agenda, while others avoid it due to religious misconceptions.
According to Mohammad Asif, unverified information circulating on social media and old fake videos have created fear among parents. This is why polio workers face severe difficulties in going door-to-door to explain the importance of vaccination.
A resident of Quetta, Jaleel Ahmed, shared his story of negligence with Voicepk.net. He said, “My son, Jawad Ahmed, suffered from a fever a few months ago. We took him to a nearby clinic where he was given medication and an injection. The very next day, his leg became numb, and he was paralyzed. When we took him to the doctor, we were informed that it was a case of polio.”
Jaleel Ahmed expressed regret, stating that he did not give his child the polio drops because he had fallen prey to misinformation about the vaccine. “We didn’t listen to the polio workers, which is why our child is now disabled. I wish we hadn’t been negligent at that time.”
He appealed to other parents to cooperate with polio workers and ensure their children receive the polio vaccine to prevent the virus from affecting other children.
Polio workers in Balochistan face significant challenges in the vaccination campaign. Parental refusal and security concerns in certain areas have become major obstacles. Despite these challenges, polio workers are risking their lives to reach remote areas where vaccination is difficult.
Polio worker Saeed Mari said, “We are making every effort to convince parents, but security threats and parental misconceptions are major hurdles in our work.”
Health experts emphasize that raising awareness among parents and eliminating misinformation is essential to making Balochistan polio-free. This goal can only be achieved through mutual cooperation between the government, health institutions, and the public.
Public awareness campaigns, the involvement of religious and social leaders, and the dissemination of accurate information on social media can play a vital role in this effort. Until parents realize the importance of the polio vaccine, it will be difficult to make Pakistan polio-free.
The situation in Balochistan demands that the polio vaccination campaign be made more effective and that parents’ concerns be addressed to involve them in this national cause. If timely actions are not taken, the threat of polio could increase further, posing a significant challenge not only for the province but for the entire country.