KARACHI, April 13: Regional Director of the World Health Organisation, Dr Hussein A. Gezairy, is scheduled to address religious leaders and scholars on the subject of polio eradication in Pakistan — particularly Sindh — on April 19 at Karachi, said a source in the Provincial Health Department.

Despite numerous anti-polio oral drop administration campaigns, Sindh and other provinces of Pakistan still report new polio cases almost every year. In 2007, six confirmed cases of polio, including two from Sindh, have been reported so far.

The proposed meeting of the WHO director with Ulema and public opinion leaders in Karachi is considered as an opportunity to discuss and finalise the “final push to achieve the eradication of polio in Sindh.”

The meeting will be held at the New Sindh Secretariat at 12noon, the source added, saying that Dr Gezairy will also meet the provincial governor and chief minister the same day.

“Polio workers in Pakistan, as in other parts of the world, complain that there are still families which fear that anti-polio vaccine will sicken or sterilise their children.

‘‘The meeting would surely help seek support from the leaders in eliminating rumours, fears and misconceptions that hinder the final push to end polio,” commented a worker from Gulberg Town.