KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah said that the province had reported four polio cases in 2025, compared to 23 in 2024 and two in 2023, and emphasised the need for enhanced oversight and coordination across all districts in preparation for the upcoming National Immunisation Days (NIDs) scheduled from April 21 to 27, 2025.

The CM said this while presiding over a meeting of the Provincial Task Force for Polio Eradication.

The meeting, held at CM House, was attended by Health Minister Dr Azra Fazal Pechuho, Local Government Minister Saeed Ghani, Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab, Karachi Commissioner Hassan Naqvi, Secretary to the Chief Minister Raheem Shaikh, Secretary of the Knowledge and Governance Khalid Hyder Shah, Secretary of Education Zahid Abbasi, Secretary of Health Rehan Baloch, Additional IG Karachi Javed Odho, Rotary representative Aziz Memon, CEO of PPHI Javed Jagirani, Provincial Emergency Operation Centre (EOC) Coordinator Irshad Sodhar, ECO Dr Ahamed Ali Shaikh, WHO representative Dr Asif Ali, Unicef representative Dr Azeem Khwaja and others.

During the week-long campaign, more than 10.6 million children under the age of five will be inoculated in Sindh. Around 69,724 trained polio workers will go door-to-door to ensure that every eligible child is reached. The teams will also visit schools, shopping malls and transit points throughout the province. Out of these, over 20,000 polio workers will be deployed in Karachi, according to APP.

Moreover, a comprehensive security plan has been put in place, with 24,552 security personnel deployed to protect the polio teams and support them during the week-long campaign. Out of those, 5669 will be deployed in Karachi.

Anti-polio drive to start on April 21

At the outset of the meeting, Dr Pechuho briefed the CM that Sindh has reported four cases of polio in 2025. This is a decrease compared to 23 cases in 2024 and two cases in 2023. The four current cases were identified in the districts of Badin, Larkana, Qambar and Thatta.

“Our efforts this year must be focused on ensuring that every child receives the polio vaccine,” said the CM, stressing the importance of district-level leadership in reaching every child and overcoming parental hesitancy through respectful and data-driven engagement.

“Every refusal must be seen as an opportunity to educate and build trust,” he added, directing the deputy commissioners to lead from the front and ensure daily supervision in the field.

The meeting reviewed the current polio situation which shows that Sindh has reported four of Pakistan’s six polio cases in 2025, while all districts in Karachi continue to return positive environmental samples. Despite consistent vaccination efforts, virus circulation persists in key urban areas.

Environmental surveillance results have detected the presence of the poliovirus in all seven districts of the city. The affected areas include Sohrab Goth, Machhar Colony, Chakora Nalla, and localities along the Rashid Minhas Road in District East; Khamiso Goth in district West; Mohammad Khan Colony and Orangi in Malir District; Bahawalnagar Goth, Korangi Nullah, and Haji Mureed in Korangi and Central district, respectively; and Hajrat Colony, PIDC, and Manzoor Colony in district South.

Sukkur, Larkana, Hyderabad, and Mirpurkhas divisions have also polio virus-positive environmental surveillance results. Therefore, parents must ensure their children are vaccinated properly and regularly to protect them from polio, said the CM.

Dr Pechuho highlighted the need for sustained follow-up in communities affected by misinformation or vaccine fatigue. “We must strengthen the role of supervisors and ensure two-three visits to every household where vaccination was initially refused,” she said. “We must also continue integrating nutrition and routine immunisation with polio campaigns,” she added.

Chief Secretary Syed Asif Hyder Shah instructed all administrative heads to ensure campaign readiness, coordinate security, and monitor high-risk union councils. He directed the DCs to establish district-level monitoring rooms for real-time tracking and problem-solving during the campaign.

The EOC Sindh team provided an overview of communication efforts, which included engagement with media, religious leaders, and medical professionals, and reported on the success of recent fractional IPV campaigns and upcoming ISD activities.

The Chief Minister concluded by urging all officials and elected representatives to support the polio teams during the April campaign. “The virus is still present, but so is our resolve. We owe it to every child to make this campaign count,” he stated. “Let Sindh lead the way toward a polio-free Pakistan.”

Published in Dawn, April 18th, 2025