Corruption, terrorism turn Pakistan into epicenter of polio

ISLAMABAD: Corruption, maladministration and terrorism have turned Pakistan into an epicenter of polio as the country has recorded 202 cases of the crippling disease this year, breaking its own previous records.

In 2000, the disease had affected199 children across the country. According to Health Department, eight new cases of polio were detected in Mardan, Peshawar, Khyber Agency, Quetta, South Waziristan, Nowshera, Tank and Karachi.

Scores of Lady Health Workers were killed during anti-polio campaign as militants targeted the volunteer in different parts of the country.

The situation further worsened as 78 percent parents refused to get their children immunized against the disease.

An anti-polio drive will be launched in the most sensitive 11 Union Councils of Karachi where children would be administered injections instead of polio drops.