PLoS Medicine
(Accessed 12 October 2013)
http://www.plosmedicine.org/

The Final Push for Polio Eradication: Addressing the Challenge of Violence in Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Nigeria
Seye Abimbola, Asmat Ullah Malik, Ghulam Farooq Mansoor
http://www.plosmedicine.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pmed.1001529

Summary Points
:: Polio eradication in Nigeria, Pakistan, and Afghanistan (the three remaining endemic countries) depends on understanding the common determinants and country-specific factors that underlie the failure to eradicate polio in these countries.
:: Our review of the current situation suggests that the global health community and the governments of Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Nigeria need to build trust and to prioritise polio eradication as part of routine health services rather than highlighting it as “the only” health problem.
:: Coercive strategies for making people take the polio vaccine and censorship of discussions around the controversies about polio vaccines need to be avoided.
:: Because polio workers are a newly recognised soft target for anti-West terrorist groups in these countries, the publicity surrounding vaccination activities should be minimised.
:: The global health community and national governments need to work directly with community members and their immediate leaders to dispel myths about polio vaccination rather than engaging only with regional or provincial religious leaders.

Why We Must Provide Better Support for Pakistan’s Female Frontline Health Workers
Svea Closserl, Rashid Jooma
http://www.plosmedicine.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pmed.1001528

Summary Points
:: As the Global Polio Eradication Initiative deploys its endgame strategy, the commitment and effectiveness of field health workers in polio-endemic countries is critical.
:: Ongoing attacks on Lady Health Workers and other frontline health staff in Pakistan appear to be an unintended consequence of the high political profile of polio eradication.
:: Achieving polio eradication and strengthening Pakistan’s health system now depends on a shift in the center of gravity of international engagement, away from high-profile engagement with federal leaders and towards supportive partnerships with Lady Health Workers and other ground-level staff.
:: Nearly all women who work on the health frontline in Pakistan do so because poverty and a lack of other opportunities force them to accept a job with pay of under US$5 per day.
:: Steps to support Lady Health Workers and to engage them as strong partners should include paying a living wage, developing world-class security strategies, and providing opportunities for career development and advancement.