In two countries, Afghanistan and Pakistan, polio remains a significant health concern. While Pakistan initiated an eradication campaign in 1994 to combat the disease, the number of reported cases has decreased from 20,000 annually to five so far this year. However, despite these efforts, the spread of polio continues.
Pakistan’s efforts involve administering over 300 million doses of oral vaccine each year with assistance from at least 350,000 vaccinators as part of the Pakistan Polio Eradication Programme. Unfortunately, health workers and security officials accompanying them face numerous challenges. They are often harassed, ridiculed, taunted, threatened, and even physically targeted. Tragically, at least 102 health workers have been killed over the past three decades.
Despite these dangers and poor working conditions such as low pay and salary delays for some workers who report earning as little as Rs.1360 (approximately $5) for an eight-hour workday. Additionally, polio survivors working on the campaign receive limited transport and health benefits while carrying out their work in challenging terrain and harsh weather conditions.
Overall, eradicating polio is a difficult task made even more challenging by the hostile environment faced by those on the front lines.