Sindh reports polio surveillance gains ahead of April campaign

Over 73,000 workers to vaccinate 10.5m children from April 13–19

IV Report

KARACHI: Sindh, attributing an improvement in its environmental surveillance (ES) site results reported lately, is gearing up for the second nationwide oral polio vaccine campaign from April 13 to 19, targeting around 10.5 million children under five across the province.

The province, according to official data, has attained significant gains in its ongoing polio eradication efforts, with 76 per cent — 22 out of 29 — ES sites testing negative for poliovirus in March 2026, marking the strongest improvement recorded over the past three years.

Against nine confirmed polio cases in children from Sindh last year, the province has reported one case so far this year — the only confirmed case in the country to date.

By 2025, Pakistan had 127 environmental sampling sites, including 29 in Sindh, which reported six negative and 23 positive samples during the year. Karachi remained a hotspot, with a high number of positive detections in 2025.

According to Pakistan’s Polio Eradication Initiative (PEI) data, in January this year, 127 sewage samples collected from 87 districts were tested for the presence of poliovirus, with 103 samples found negative and 24 testing positive.

 “Sindh reported the highest number of positive sewage samples, highlighting the need for intensified vaccination efforts and community outreach in specific districts,” the PEI had observed in January.

Officials said recent improvements were reflected across divisions, with Karachi showing marked progress as 10 of its 12 surveillance sites turned negative, while Sukkur division achieved a fully negative status. Several districts — including Ghotki, Sukkur, Larkana, Jacobabad, Hyderabad, Dadu, Sujawal, Jamshoro and Shaheed Benazirabad — have maintained consecutive months of negative results.

During a presentation on polio activities and preparations for the upcoming campaign at a meeting of the Provincial Task Force on Polio Eradication on April 9, Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah said the environmental surveillance results indicated substantial improvement compared to March 2025, when all sites had tested positive.

“The progress is a reflection of strengthened field operations, improved supervision, and enhanced reporting systems,” the chief minister said, emphasising the need to sustain momentum through continued efforts.

He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to eliminating polio, stressing the importance of sustained vigilance, accountability, and coordinated action.

The meeting was attended by provincial ministers, senior administrative officials, representatives of international partners, and district authorities via video link.

Participants were told that the upcoming campaign would mobilise more than 73,000 workers, including 8,354 area in-charges and 1,713 Union Council Medical Officers, across 30 districts and 1,708 union councils.

Karachi will host the largest deployment, followed by Hyderabad, Larkana, Sukkur, Shaheed Benazirabad and Mirpurkhas divisions.

“Adequate human resources and security arrangements are essential to achieving universal coverage,” the chief minister noted.

Additionally, officials said 22,290 police personnel have been mobilised to ensure security, with over 24,000 personnel committed to supporting field operations. Special response teams have also been deployed in selected districts to address remaining gaps.

Photos courtesy: Government departments