Special anti-polio campaign kicks off in Karachi

KARACHI: To prevent polio virus infections in children, the Sindh Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) for eradication of polio launched a special 16-day campaign in collaboration with Sindh EPI, WHO and Unicef and other partners in Karachi on August 15, with the Sindh Health Minister Dr Azra Fazal Pechuho in attendance.   

According to the campaign plan, deserving children will receive oral polio vaccine drops and fractional Inactivated Polio Vaccine (fIPV) in 85 union councils (UCs) of Karachi, which are considered as high-risk localities for children up to five years of age, in view of a long prevalence of polio virus in their environment.

The fractional IPV, which is being used for the first time as an intradermal dose in Karachi, are likely to be administered in as many as 1.04 children between 4 months to 5 years of age, while OPV will be given to around 1.1 million children under the age of five years. Selected UCs belong to all districts of Karachi.

The districts of Karachi have collectively reported 72 positive environmental (sewage) samples -- East (24), South (13), Keamari (13), Central (7), Korangi (7), Malir (6), and West (2) – in the first seven months of 2024.

In her remarks after performing the inauguration of the campaign at a dispensary in the Sultanabad area of the city, Dr Pechuho told the families that it was crucial to get their children vaccinated with both the OPV and fIPV. "Vaccines save lives and prevent children from permanent disability,” she added and urged the community leaders to support vaccinators in reaching as many children as possible.

Provincial EOC Coordinator Irshad Sodhar and Rotary International Trustee Aziz Memon were present, among others, at the event.

The minister was told that about 3,800 trained workers and 16,000 frontline health workers are participating in this campaign. “Our target is that every eligible child receives the booster and supplementary doses against polio during the campaign,” stated a high official.                                                                 --IV Desk

 

 

  

With an uninterrupted 23-year career in daily journalism (1991-2013), the author/editor of this blog currently serves as Editor of Social Track, a weekly newspaper focused on social sectors, based in Karachi. Holding a master's degree in Mass Communications from the University of Karachi (1990), his professional experience includes roles as senior reporter at Daily Dawn, Karachi (May 2001-August 2013) and Chief Reporter at The News International, Karachi (April 1991-May 2001). He has a strong background in development journalism, he has an extensive portfolio of news stories, analytical reports and features covering a wide range of sectors. He has had the privilege of covering numerous high-profile figures, including Pakistani presidents, prime ministers, army chiefs, foreign dignitaries, and VVIPs and attending conferences and workshops abroad. He began his journalism career in the early 1980s. Throughout his career, he has received several national awards from government and private organisations. He has contributed to various radio and TV/channel broadcasts and has also served as a trainer at workshops in Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad, focused on training journalists.

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