By Our Correspondent
TANK: A new case of polio has been reported in Tank district, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, raising the total number of confirmed polio cases in the province to 11 this year.
According to the Health Department, the latest victim is a 20-month-old girl from Union Council Malazai in Tank. The case has been confirmed by the National Institute of Health (NIH), Islamabad. This marks the second polio case reported from Tank district in 2024.
With this latest confirmation, the total number of polio cases reported across Pakistan in 2024 has climbed to 50. The breakdown of cases across the country is as follows:
Balochistan: 24 cases (the highest number in the country)
Sindh: 13 cases
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: 11 cases
Punjab: 1 case
Islamabad: 1 case
Health experts have expressed alarm over the continued prevalence of polio, particularly in areas with low immunization coverage. The ongoing challenges, including vaccine hesitancy, misinformation, and difficulties in reaching remote areas, remain significant barriers to eradication efforts.
A Health Department spokesperson reiterated the critical need for collective action, urging parents to ensure their children receive polio vaccinations. “Every single case is a grim reminder of the threat this virus poses to our children. It is essential to strengthen vaccination efforts and combat misinformation to eliminate this preventable disease,” the official stated.
Pakistan is one of only two countries in the world, alongside Afghanistan, where polio remains endemic. Despite repeated vaccination drives and awareness campaigns, the country has struggled to fully eradicate the virus.
Health authorities have announced plans to intensify vaccination campaigns in high-risk areas, including Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, and Sindh, to prevent further outbreaks. The government, alongside international health organizations, is working to ensure access to vaccines and raise awareness about the importance of immunization to achieve the goal of a polio-free Pakistan.
