KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has announced an ambitious plan to eradicate poliovirus from the province by 2025, finalizing preparations for a major vaccination campaign scheduled from February 3 to 9. The drive aims to vaccinate 10.6 million children under five across all 1,257 union councils of Sindh.

Chairing a Provincial Task Force meeting on Polio Eradication at the CM's House, Shah stressed the urgency of collective action to safeguard children. "Together, we must protect our children from this crippling disease through collective efforts," he said.

The meeting was attended by top provincial officials, including Health Minister Dr. Azra Fazal Pechuho, Chief Secretary Asif Hyder Shah, and representatives from the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and Rotary International. Recent data revealed a worrying surge in polio cases in Sindh in 2024, with 22 cases reported-eight in Larkana, six in Karachi, and four in Hyderabad.

This prompted the government to intensify efforts to combat the virus. Minister Health Dr. Azra Fazal informed the meeting that over 81,000 frontline workers would participate in the campaign to administer the oral polio vaccine (OPV).

During a December 2024 campaign, 96% of targeted households were covered, but over 80,000 children were missed due to unavailability or refusal.

To address this, Shah directed Karachi's Commissioner to involve local communities to reduce refusals. He further stressed the importance of vaccinating high-risk populations, including migrant families and those in slum areas, where 98% of refusals were recorded.

The upcoming campaign will prioritize high-risk union councils in Karachi, Hyderabad, and Larkana. Shah emphasized comprehensive field monitoring, community engagement, and security for polio workers to ensure the campaign's success.

"We must act decisively to close immunity gaps. The virus is still circulating in our communities, and we cannot afford to leave any child unprotected," Shah said.

He warned against inaccurate reporting and urged district commissioners to maintain strict accountability. Environmental surveillance has confirmed the presence of wild poliovirus in Karachi and other high-risk zones, highlighting the need for aggressive action.

Shah called on parents, religious leaders, and communities to support the campaign, underlining that polio eradication is a national duty. "Every child vaccinated brings us closer to a polio-free Sindh. I urge everyone to do their part and ensure no child is left behind," he said.

Provincial Coordinator Irshad Ali Sodhar echoed Shah's sentiments, reaffirming that polio eradication is a collective responsibility. Stakeholders at the meeting pledged their full commitment to achieving the 2025 eradication goal. The campaign represents a critical step toward a polio-free Sindh, with the government and partners united in their determination to protect future generations from this crippling disease.

Published in The Daily National Courier, January, 29 2025

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