Inter-provincial migration, refusal major cause of polio cases: Minister

ISLAMABAD:

Federal Minister for Health, Abdul Qadir Patel Monday said that the government was committed to eradicating polio from Pakistan, however, refusal of Polio drops to kids and inter-provincial migration were the basic challenges to eliminating this crippling virus.

Talking to a private news channel, he said that Pakistan and Afghanistan are the only remaining countries in the world with circulating wild poliovirus, adding that the government had established state of art Polio center to review the current situation.

He said that due to refusal around the eighth case of polio was reported this year. All eight cases have been reported in North Waziristan, where parents in the region often refuse to get their children inoculated.

Patel said eradication of Poliovirus was still a challenge due to evolving situation in Afghanistan, however, efforts are underway to stop transmission of the virus through intensified and coordinated efforts under the federal government’s national emergency action plan.

He said the cooperation of all stakeholders is necessary and the government would chalk out a strict strategy to control the virus, adding that a strong awareness drive would also be launched to change the mindsets of people living in far-flung areas of the country.

Replying to a question, he said that the government was taking all practical steps to control the high prices of medicines.

He said the Health Card program will continue despite issues with the scheme, adding that the Sindh government was also considering launching its own health insurance scheme for the people living below the poverty line.