Karachi: Chief Minister Sindh Syed Murad Ali Shah on Tuesday, today chaired a meeting over the provincial polio task force.
The CM reviewed preparation of a week long anti-polio drive starting from February 3 to February 9.
Syed Murad Ali Shah expressed determination to eradication of polio from the province.He said that refusal to administering polio drops can’t be tolerated.
He ordered the health officials to ensure administering of polio drops to every child of the province.
The CM Sindh has set a target for 2025 to eliminate the virus and stated, “Together, we must protect our children from this crippling disease through collective efforts.”
The CM said that the latest polio data revealed an alarming increase in cases in 2024, with Sindh reporting 22 cases. The majority were concentrated in Larkana eight cases, Karachi 6 cases, and Hyderabad 4 cases, prompting renewed urgency for intensified efforts.
During the meeting, the Chief Minister emphasised the importance of reaching every child under five, setting a target of vaccinating 10.6 million children across all 1,257 union councils. More than 81,000 frontline workers will be deployed to administer the oral polio vaccine (OPV), Minister Health Dr Azra Fazal told the CM.
To tackle high-risk areas and ongoing challenges, Murad Shah directed that the campaign would focus on high-risk union councils in Karachi, Hyderabad, and Larkana.
He emphasised the importance of vaccinating migrant and mobile populations at transit points. “Our main focus is to reduce refusals and ensure that missed children, especially in the slum areas of Karachi, which account for 98 per cent of refusals in Sindh, receive vaccinations,” he stated.
The CM directed all district commissioners to personally oversee the campaign, ensuring comprehensive field monitoring, community engagement, and security for polio workers.
He warned against inaccurate reporting and operational gaps, urging stricter accountability at all levels.
The Chief Minister called upon parents, religious leaders, and communities to support the campaign, stressing 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,” said the CM said.
The meeting concluded with all stakeholders pledging their full commitment to achieving the eradication goal in 2025, reaffirming Sindh’s dedication to a polio-free future.
The meeting, held at the CM’s House, was attended by Minister Health Dr Azra Fazal Pechuho, Chief Secretary Asif Hyder Shah, Home Secretary Iqbal memon, IG Police Ghulam nabi Memon, Commissioner Karachi Hassan Naqvi, Secretary Local Govt Khalid Hyder Shah, Secretary to CM Raheem Shaikh, Secretary School education Zahid Abbasi, Secretary Health Rehan Baloch, senior government officials, Provincial Coordinator EOC Sindh Irshad Ali Sodhar, and representatives from WHO, UNICEF, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and Rotary International.
