All the efforts to declare Lahore as a polio-free city became useless as poliovirus was again confirmed in samples collected from a disposal station at Outfall Road.The samples were sent to the National Institute of Health (NIH) during the month of April.  Despite administering polio drops, there is a strong possibility that the polio virus may expand in Lahore.

There is a big question mark on the performance of the higher officials who have failed to discharge their responsibility besides availing a lucrative salary package. Polio eradication has been a major public health priority in Pakistan, with authorities implementing various strategies to eliminate the disease.

The detection of the virus in Punjab's sewage samples serves as a reminder of the challenges that remain in achieving complete eradication. Efforts to address the issue are ongoing, with health officials reiterating their commitment to strengthening surveillance and immunization activities across the province.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)