As India celebrates its 5th year of victory against the Polio virus, some countries are still miles away from the eradication of this virus. According to WHO, Nigeria, Afghanistan and Pakistan are the only countries where Polio is still prevalent.
The UN has blamed unchecked borders for the spread of the polio virus in the neighboring countries of Afghanistan and Pakistan. Over 20,000 people cross the Pak-Afghan border through the Bab-E-Dosti (Friendship Gate) every day, most of them carrying the virus and thereby putting thousands at risk.
Under a four day anti-polio campaign launched across Balochistan, people of all ages crossing the Chaman border will be vaccinated against Polio. Even though Polio affects only children, adults can also carry the virus. Due to the huge influx of people coming from Afghanistan into Pakistan and vice versa, carrying the virus, all efforts eradicate it have been in vain.
The campaign was launched on 25th of March, 2019, and several arrangements have been made on both sides of the border to effectively vaccinate everybody. However, in order to increase the efficacy of the campaign more workers will have to be deployed at the Chaman border to ensure proper vaccination of both children and adults.
According to Chaman Deputy Commissioner, Shafqat Anwar Shahiwani, people travelling across the border will have to carry a yellow card as proof of vaccination along with other travelling documents and will be issued this card for a year. People travelling for trade on a daily basis will also be vaccinated .
One of the major hurdles in dissemination of the polio vaccine continues to be the constant mistrust of the local in polio vaccine. This mainly stems from ignorance, cultural taboos and religious propaganda. Even though it is illegal to do so, many families have in fact refused the polio vaccine.
This campaign is another step towards eradication of the polio virus and aims to stop and contain the transmission of the virus and attempts to control cross border transfer of the virus.
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