ISLAMABAD: A six-member delegation from the Technical Advisory Group (TAG) advising Pakistan on its polio eradication programme has recommended that the country maintain leadership stability and eliminate flaws by introducing an accountability mechanism.
Led by TAG Chairman Dr Jean Marc Olive, the group has also suggested improved coordination with Afghanistan, and vigorous campaigns on either side of the border if a polio case is reported from the border regions.
The group also expressed the hope that the poliovirus could be eradicated this year in Pakistan moves quickly to achieve the necessary targets.
Members of the delegation held meetings with representatives from the federal and provincial governments, as well as health experts, during a two day visit from June 28 to June 29.
An official from the national health services (NHS) ministry who asked not to be named said that while the delegation did appear satisfied with the quality of the campaign, it also expressed reservations regarding various weaknesses.
‘Poliovirus could be eradicated by year end if Pakistan moves quickly to achieve targets’
“It was suggested that the stability of leadership should be maintained, such as in Karachi where three commissioners were changed in the last six months. The TAG also suggested increasing accountability to ensure transparency,” the official said.
He added that the group said Pakistan was on track and could eradicate the poliovirus by the end of 2016.
“Mr Olive said the finishing line was in sight, but Pakistan has to travel at a faster pace to reach the line in time and cross it. It must look at the gaps and try to fill them, because they will play a major role in success or failure,” he said.
“The TAG also suggested that if a case is reporter in the border area between Afghanistan and Pakistan, an aggressive campaign should be held on both sides of the border. We have been asked to play a role in the capacity building of the Afghan polio programme.”
“It will be beneficial for us, as there are only two countries on the globe which have been exporting the virus to each other. After Eid, the delegation will also visit Afghanistan, where the risk is increasing due to security issues,” he added.
The head of the National Emergency Operation Centre (NEOC) Dr Rana Mohammad Safdar said: “We had to admit that the performance of Karachi was not at its peak and in southern Sindh pockets in Larkana, Sukkur and Jacobabad need more attention.”
He added that seven of the 12 cases from this year were reported from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He said that there are small polio reservoirs in Bannu, Lakki Marwat, Kark and D.I. Khan, but the quality of polio campaigns in these areas has also improved.
“In Punjab, although the immunity level is higher, the virus can pour into Punjab because of the frequent movement of people from other provinces,” he added.
In Fata, he said the virus had been eradicated entirely, but added: “Very next to it, in Afghanistan’s Kunar province, the quality of the campaign is very poor because of security issues, so the virus can be transferred from there.”
Dr Safdar said some of the steps taken by the programme, such as health camps in areas where the movement of polio workers is difficult, and the use of community volunteers and the inactivated polio vaccine (IPV) were appreciated by the group.
He added that children’s immunity level is also low because of malnutrition, but “we are also working on it”.
According to an official statement, NHS Minister Saira Afzal Tarar said during the meeting that efforts made during the low transmission season had brought Pakistan close to achieving its goal.
The prime minister’s focal person for polio eradication, Senator Ayesha Raza Farooq, said the programme is focused on stopping persistent transmission in core reservoirs.
The World Health Organisation Eastern Mediterranean Regional Office regional director Dr Ala Awan said: “Polio eradication is one of the top priorities in this region.
This is a turning point in the global struggle against polio.”
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