Pakistan's fight against poliomyelitis: Introducing innovative strategies to address challenges and attain the goal of eradication

Abstract

Pakistan, with Nigeria, India and Afghanistan, is one of the four remaining polio endemic countries in the world. Since the start of polio eradication initiative in 1994, the country has succeeded in reducing the number of polio cases from an estimated 20,000 annually to 89 in 2009. Furthermore, persistent transmission is largely localized to three transmission zones in which ten of the fifteen highest risk areas are situated. Insecurity, operational issues, governance lapses, low routine immunization coverage, inadequate trickle-down of the political commitment existing at the national level to sub-national level and extensive population movement are the main barriers to the process. A robust strategic plan was developed for 2010-2012 encompassing district-specific plans and focused strategy on security compromised areas, performance-based payment, independent monitoring, attention to migratory populations, social mobilization, and strategic cooperation with Afghanistan. This will provide Pakistan a strong and imminent opportunity to interrupt polio virus circulation.