QUETTA: Sudden rise in polio cases in Balochistan has been attributed to disturbing revelation that children are being falsely marked as vaccinated without receiving actual polio drops.

This malpractice, coupled with other significant challenges has led to reemergence of polio virus in region after 28-months. In briefing to senior journalists, officials from Balochistan’s Emergency Operation Center for anti-polio efforts disclosed that in sensitive areas such as Quetta, Pishin, Chaman and Qila Abdullah, polio workers have been caught marking children’s fingers as if they had been vaccinated, without actually administering drops. This year alone, 12 polio cases have been reported in Balochistan, with first 8 months seeing surge. Alarmingly, three of children affected by virus have died, raising concerns that polio virus could be cause of their deaths. Experts and authorities are also highlighting additional challenges, including inaccessibility of polio teams in certain areas due to security concerns, issues with transportation along Pak-Afghan Border and difficulties in ensuring that all children are vaccinated. In response to situation, Emergency Operation Centre is revising its strategy to better tackle these challenges.