Abstract

AN UPDATE ON RESURGENCE OF POLIOMYELITIS CASES IN PAKISTAN

Dr. Roohi Mumtaz* and Prof. Dr. Khalid Iraqi

Abstract

The world has seen countless outbreaks of polioviruses around the world over the past few centuries.[1,2] Europe and North America were the prime targets of poliomyelitis eruption in late nineteenth century.[1] However, Asia and Africa are the two regions currently facing the eruption of poliomyelitis.[2]Paralytic poliomyelitis has completely eradicated from America, Europe and from many other Asian and African countries. This was possible due to the continuous and collective efforts of World Health Organization (WHO), governments and non-government organizations.[3,4] The expanded immunization program was started in 1976 to prevent polio and to avoid contamination related to polioviruses in Pakistan.[5-7] this program also provided awareness and spread valuable information regarding immunization against polioviruses. Within a short period of two years, this program was expanded throughout the country. The program achieved significant success and progressed to meet millennium development goals.[5-7] However, the program failed to maintain its momentum due to limited access to immunization services and poorly administered management system. Moreover, lack of awareness and knowledge among parents also created difficulty to attain the global target of wiping out polio from every country and region of the world.

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