With 80,804 children missed during December’s anti-polio campaign, including 45,215 whose parents refused vaccination, Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has vowed to eliminate the poliovirus from the province this year by reaching every child through upcoming drives and routine immunisation.
During a meeting of the Provincial Task Force on Polio Eradication, he chaired at the CM House, Shah set the target to eradicate the virus in the province by the end of this year. “Together we must protect our children from this crippling disease through collective efforts,” he said, finalising the preparations for the National Immunisation Days campaign scheduled to be held from February 3 to February 9.
He expressed concern over the alarming rise in polio cases last year, with Sindh reporting 22 cases, underscoring the need for intensified efforts. “This is a critical moment, and we must reach every child under five to achieve our goal,” he stressed, noting that 10.6 million children across 1,257 union councils are targeted for vaccination during the upcoming campaign.
Health Minister Dr Azra Fazal Pechuho said that over 81,000 frontline workers would be deployed to administer the oral polio vaccine. During December’s drive 2,178,328 households were targeted, achieving 96 percent coverage, but 80,804 children were missed due to unavailability, and 45,215 parents refused vaccination. Shah directed Karachi Commissioner Hassan Naqvi to engage local communities and leaders to address refusals.
Emergency Operations Centre Sindh Coordinator Irshad Ali Sodhar said that 100 percent household coverage was achieved in Hyderabad, Larkana, Mirpurkhas, Shaheed Benazirabad and Sukkur, but high-risk union councils in Karachi, Hyderabad, and Larkana continue to face significant challenges.
Shah stressed focusing on these areas, and ensuring vaccination of migrant and mobile populations at transit points. “Our main focus is to reduce refusals, and ensure that missed children, especially in Karachi’s slum areas — accounting for 98 percent of Sindh’s refusals — receive vaccinations.”
He directed all district commissioners to personally oversee the campaign with strict field monitoring, community engagement and security for polio workers. He warned against inaccurate reporting and operational gaps, urging stricter accountability at all levels.
Sodhar said “the virus is still circulating in our communities, and we must act decisively to close immunity gaps. This is a collective responsibility, and we can’t afford to leave any child unprotected”.
Environmental surveillance continues to detect the presence of the wild poliovirus in Karachi and other high-risk areas, further underscoring the need for aggressive and sustained efforts. Shah called on parents, religious leaders and communities to support the campaign, emphasising that polio eradication is a national duty.
“We must protect our children from this crippling disease. 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.” The meeting concluded with all stakeholders pledging their full commitment to achieving the eradication goal this year, reaffirming the province’s dedication to a polio-free future.
Published in News Daily on 29-January-2025.