Unite against polio: Aseefa Bhutto Zardari calls for urgent action


IV Report

KARACHI: On the eve of World Polio Day, Aseefa Bhutto Zardari, MNA from Sindh and First Lady of Pakistan, has stressed the need for increased vaccinations, improved water and sanitation infrastructure, and strong support for polio workers to make Pakistan polio-free. This comes as Sindh reports 12 new polio cases this year, contributing to Pakistan's total of 39 confirmed cases and over 400 positive environmental samples in 2024.

Ms Bhutto emphasised that the stakes have never been higher for Pakistan's children, citing polio's two-decade threat to their future. "Now, more than ever, it is critical that we rally together to protect them through sustained and consistent vaccination efforts," she said. She noted that despite progress, the resurgence of polio in areas like Balochistan, Sindh, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa underscores the urgency of the situation.

Praise for health workers

Ms Bhutto praised the tireless efforts of polio and lady health workers across the country, saying they are often the unsung heroes in this battle. "Their unwavering commitment to reach every child with the life-saving polio vaccine is remarkable."

The Sindh government has invested in improving water and sanitation infrastructure, establishing model EPI centers, and enhancing mother and child healthcare services. "These efforts address the root causes of polio transmission, improving both the health of our children and the quality of our healthcare system," Ms Bhutto added.


Concerns and demands

However, the Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) expressed concerns over the continued reporting of new polio cases, particularly in Sindh, indicating significant failure in polio eradication efforts. The association demands: immediate implementation of effective polio eradication measures; increased public awareness campaigns highlighting vaccination importance; strengthened system for timely response to new cases; adequate support for polio eradication programme; holding responsible parties accountable for failure to control virus spread.

Community-based awareness intervention

In a separate effort, the Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI) Sindh and UNICEF launched a community-based awareness intervention featuring puppet shows, vaccination jingles, and magic shows to increase understanding of vaccination importance.



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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