Sindh CM calls for intensified polio eradication efforts



IV Report

KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has expressed concern over the rising polio cases in the province, emphasising the need for coordinated efforts to safeguard all children from the disease.

Amidst reports of a massive reshuffling of polio control human resources in Punjab due to poor performance, CM Shah chaired a review meeting on polio eradication at CM House on October 4. The meeting was attended by provincial ministers Dr Azra Fazal Pechuho (health) and Saeed Ghani (local bodies), Sindh Chief Secretary Asif Hyder Shah, Commissioner Karachi Hassan Qureshi, and Additional IG Police Imran Yakoob, among others.

As of October 2, Sindh accounts for seven out of Pakistan's 28 polio-infected children this year, with Karachi reporting three cases, Hyderabad two, and Sajawal and Mirpurkhas one each. This surge is alarming, considering Sindh reported only two cases in 2023 and zero cases in 2022 and 2021.


CM Shah stressed the urgent need for collaborative actions to eliminate the threat of polio, particularly in high-risk and under-immunised areas. He directed departments to address operational gaps and vaccine refusals, ensuring no child is missed during the upcoming National Immunisation Days campaign.

The Chief Minister also called for involving elected representatives to improve the provincial immunisation status and tackle vaccine refusals. Health Minister Dr Azra Fazal Pechuho highlighted the progress made during recent campaigns, including the fractional Inactivated Polio Vaccine campaign in August.

Sindh Emergency Operations Centre Coordinator Irshad A Sodhar presented the current polio situation and the performance of the Polio Eradication Initiative programme. Secretaries of Health and Local Government departments, Rehan Baloch and Khalid Hyder Shah, respectively, shared insights on challenges and countermeasures.

"Polio eradication remains a top priority for the provincial government; all officials and stakeholders should redouble their efforts," CM Shah emphasised.


*With input from official handouts. 

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