24th polio case of the year surfaces in Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: While the country is making hectic efforts to eradicate polio, 24th polio case of the year has been reported, endangering children's health nationwide. 
The latest case involves a 29-month-old boy from Hyderabad district in Sindh, according to the Regional Reference Laboratory for Polio Eradication at the National Institute of Health (NIH). This is the second case reported from Hyderabad, with the first detected in August.
In 2024, Pakistan recorded 24 cases of polio: 15 in Balochistan, five in Sindh, two in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and one each in Punjab and Islamabad.
Expressing concern over the rising number of cases, the Prime Minister's Focal Person for Polio Eradication, Ms Ayesha Raza Farooq, urged families to prioritise polio vaccination. "Polio has no cure, but it is completely preventable through the easily accessible vaccine provided by the government at families' doorsteps," she said. 
"As parents, grandparents, and guardians, we have a moral and religious obligation to protect our children and ensure they have the best chance at a healthy life."
Ms Farooq stressed that poliovirus spares no one, stating: "We must act urgently to ensure every child under our care receives the polio vaccine and routine immunisations to safeguard them from this disease."
The Pakistan Polio Programme is executing a comprehensive strategy to stop the virus's spread, with the goal of halting transmission by mid-2025. 
Developed in collaboration with provincial governments, the strategy focuses on reaching children in high-risk areas, addressing operational challenges, building community trust, and enhancing oversight of eradication efforts.
A recent polio vaccination campaign in September reached nearly 33 million children under five across 115 districts. Two additional mass vaccination campaigns are scheduled before the year’s end to further strengthen immunity, especially in vulnerable populations.
National Emergency Operations Centre for Polio Eradication Coordinator Muhammad Anwarul Haq highlighted the critical role of community engagement in protecting children. 
"Our dedicated polio workers bring the vaccine right to your door, offering hope for a healthier future for our children. I urge all parents to welcome these frontline heroes and ensure their children receive the polio vaccine every time," he said.