Basic health facilities for children are key to ending Polio - Dr. Bhutta

KARACHI- Renowned researcher - Dr Zulfiqar Bhutta in his comments appearing in a recent issue of Nature journal, says that; Providing basic medical services, including polio vaccinations, to children in the country’s conflict-ridden areas is key to ending polio worldwide, rather than concentrating on international travelers.

Dr Bhutta - the Founding Director of the Centre for Excellence in “Woman & Child-Health” at Aga Khan University and Co-Director of the Centre for Global Child Health at The Hospital for Sick Children, holds a clear vision about good health care.

“The real priority should be for improving basic health services, rather than putting Travel restrictions, could be ineffective and also strengthen beliefs that polio immunization is part of a global agenda”, he writes. A vast majority of polio cases are occurring in the tribal areas.

According to Dr Bhutta; the government and health agencies should divert their energies to enhancing the immunization efforts in these populations, rather than diverting resources to international travelers.