Pakistan has reported three new polio cases, raising the total number of cases in 2024 to 55.
The new cases were detected in Dera Ismail Khan, Zhob, and Jaffarabad, highlighting the ongoing struggle to eradicate polio in the country.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has expressed concern over the rising number of cases, emphasizing the need for continued vaccination efforts to protect children from this debilitating disease.
The Regional Reference Laboratory for Polio Eradication at the National Institute of Health confirmed the detection of Wild Poliovirus Type 1 (WPV1) in these districts.
Dera Ismail Khan, located in the northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, has reported six polio cases this year, while the southwestern districts of Zhob and Jaffarabad have reported three and two cases, respectively.
The WHO has warned that the detection of these latest cases is an alarming sign, putting children in several districts at severe risk.
In response, health authorities are intensifying vaccination campaigns and urging parents to ensure their children receive the polio vaccine.
Despite these efforts, the presence of polio in Pakistan remains a significant public health challenge. Additionally, financial irregularities amounting to Rs1.9 billion were unearthed in the procurement of Rs4.4 billion worth of medicines during the tenure of the previous caretaker KP government.
The report will be sent to the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) for further investigation.
