At a press conference held at PMA House in Karachi on September 11, 2024, Dr. Abdul Ghafoor Shoro, Secretary General of PMA Center, called for a forensic audit of alleged corruption involving stakeholders in Pakistan’s polio program. Dr. Shoro expressed concern over media reports of misconduct and urged the government to take decisive action by appointing qualified professionals to the top ranks of the polio eradication initiative. He warned that if the government fails to act, Pakistan could face international travel bans, as global attention on the polio issue remains highly sensitive.
Dr. Shoro highlighted the alarming rise in polio cases this year, with 17 cases reported, 12 of which were from Baluchistan, including districts like Killah Abdullah, Dera Bugti, and Quetta. Sindh recorded three cases, while one case each was reported in Punjab and Islamabad, with the latter case underscoring the severity of the situation even in Pakistan’s capital. Dr. Shoro attributed the failure to the current government under Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif and stressed the need for stronger surveillance and monitoring systems to curb the fresh outbreak.
He further criticized the lack of coordination among various entities involved in the fight against polio, including UNICEF, WHO, GAVI, IRD, and provincial and local governments. According to Dr. Shoro, the absence of synchronized efforts is hampering progress toward polio eradication.
Dr. Aftab Ahmed, Secretary General of PMA Karachi, shared insights from his experience in monitoring past polio campaigns. He accused supervisors and team leaders of submitting inaccurate reports, pointing out that the “DDM” cards issued by the World Health Organization had contributed to corruption within field staff. Dr. Ahmed revealed that teams deployed for vaccination drives were often understaffed, leading to insufficient coverage and leaving vulnerable areas unprotected.
Both doctors criticized poor governance and negligence as factors exacerbating the polio crisis. They pointed to escalating infection rates as evidence of systemic failure, calling into question the effectiveness of Pakistan’s polio program.
The PMA officials, including Dr. Altaf Hussain Khatri, Dr. Shershah Syed, and Dr. Shoaib Sobani, reaffirmed their dedication to eradicating polio, describing it as a “national cause.” They emphasized their commitment to working with all stakeholders to achieve a polio-free Pakistan, stressing the importance of protecting the nation’s children and ensuring a healthier future for generations to come.
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