Islamabad — Pakistan’s effort to wipe out polio faces renewed pressure from global donors, who warn that patience — and funding — is running thin as nearly 800,000 children continue to miss vaccinations during each campaign.
A delegation from Rotary International, visiting Islamabad this week, urged officials to set a fresh benchmark: cut the number of “missed children” in half during the September immunization drive.
Security Still the Biggest Obstacle
While health officials have repeatedly stressed logistical challenges in remote areas, security threats remain the most serious hurdle. According to program officials, at least 768 polio workers and security personnel have been killed over the past decade while protecting or conducting vaccination campaigns.
“The loss of life speaks for itself,” said Francesco Arezzo, a member of the delegation. “We understand not every child can be reached, but the number left unvaccinated has to come down significantly.”
Brigadier (retd.) Abul Hasan, overseeing security for the initiative, noted that the government provides compensation — Rs 1 million to families of slain workers and up to Rs 500,000 for those injured — but admitted the risks still weigh heavily on operations.
Donors Pour in Money, but Demand Results
Holger Knaack, another visiting delegate, revealed the growing impatience among international partners. “For years we’ve been putting in around $150 million annually,” he said. “This year, $500 million has been committed because we want to finish the job. But donors are asking: when will every missed child be reached?”
Rotary leaders pointed to India’s successful eradication strategy, which relied heavily on sanitation and outreach, as a reminder that persistent gaps can eventually be closed if governments sustain momentum.
A Country Once on the Brink
Local Rotary representative Aziz Memon recalled how Pakistan came close to eliminating the virus just a few years ago. In 2019, environmental samples remained free of poliovirus for 14 straight months — only for progress to collapse after a misinformation-fueled controversy in Bajaur district triggered vaccine refusals.
Now, with funding less secure and donor scrutiny at its peak, the September campaign is seen as a crucial test. The government, along with its international partners, will be under pressure to prove that the goal of halving missed children is achievable despite persistent security and logistical challenges.
