"Challenges in Polio Eradication: Thousands Decline Vaccination in Recent Nationwide Drive"

In a recent national anti-polio campaign, a significant hurdle emerged as over 63,000 parents opted out of vaccinating their children, posing a setback to the ongoing fight against polio eradication in Pakistan.

The refusal rates were notably high in the province of Sindh, where 38,749 parents declined the vaccination. This was followed by 20,392 refusals in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and 4,081 in Balochistan. Moreover, smaller numbers of refusals were reported in Punjab, Islamabad, and Azad Kashmir.

The nationwide campaign, conducted from February 26 to March 15, aimed to reach children across the country. However, the Ministry of Health revealed another concerning development: the detection of the polio virus in environmental samples from eight cities. Among these samples, 12 contained traces of the virus, including one case of wild polio virus and three YBA cluster cases.

These refusal rates, combined with the presence of the polio virus in multiple cities, highlight the immediate need for heightened public awareness and education on the importance of polio vaccination in eliminating the disease from Pakistan.

Fasting and kidney disease patients: Ramzan,Holy month.

 

Ramzan and patients 

Patients afflicted with kidney ailments or diminished kidney function risk severe complications if they undertake a month-long fast during the holy month of Ramadan without caution. Health professionals warn that individuals with reduced kidney function are especially vulnerable to serious, potentially life-threatening conditions if they fail to recognize the severity of their condition and fast without consulting their doctors beforehand. Kidney diseases, often dubbed as silent killers, encompass various conditions such as urinary tract infections, kidney cysts, kidney stones, acute kidney injury, and chronic kidney disease (CKD), which can be particularly perilous as symptoms may not manifest until significant, irreversible damage has occurred.

Research indicates that CKD is characterized by kidney damage or reduced function lasting more than three months. As kidney function declines, waste products and excess fluids accumulate in the body, leading to symptoms like ankle swelling, vomiting, weakness, poor sleep, and shortness of breath. Left untreated, these symptoms can progress to complete kidney failure, posing a serious and potentially life-threatening situation.

Experts stress the importance of individuals with CKD consulting their doctors and undergoing a comprehensive medical evaluation before embarking on fasting during Ramadan. Those with diminished kidney function should take precautions to avoid dehydration, a common cause of acute kidney injury, which can result in sudden kidney failure, a critical condition. Kidneys play vital roles in maintaining bodily functions, including filtering blood, regulating electrolyte balance, and controlling blood pressure. They also produce essential substances like renin for blood pressure regulation and active Vitamin D for bone health and stimulate red blood cell production.

Health professionals caution that individuals with type 1 or type 2 diabetes and hypertension are at heightened risk of kidney-related complications if they do not take extra precautions while fasting. Diabetes and high blood pressure are identified as leading causes of CKD. Individuals with reduced kidney function should promptly seek medical attention if they experience any complications while fasting. Those with urinary tract infections, mild kidney stones, or kidney cysts may be able to fast during Ramadan under medical guidance.

In cases of asymptomatic kidney stones, fasting may be feasible, but individuals experiencing pain due to stones should seek medical advice before fasting. Dehydration can exacerbate acute kidney injury and further harm kidneys. Likewise, individuals with CKD, hypertension, and high blood sugar may suffer irreversible damage if they fast without proper guidance from a qualified physician.