CM calls for enhanced monitoring and refusal conversion efforts before April polio campaign

CM calls for enhanced monitoring and refusal conversion efforts before April polio campaign

KARACHI (April 17): Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, presiding over a meeting of the Provincial Task Force for Polio Eradication, said that the province has reported four polio cases in 2025, compared to 23 in 2024 and 2 in 2023, therefore 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.

“Our efforts this year must be focused on ensuring that every child receives the polio vaccine,” he said.

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 EOC Coordinator Irshad Sodhar, ECO Dr. Ahamed Ali Shaikh, WHO representative Dr. Asif Ali, UNICEF representative Dr. Azeem Khwaja, and others.

At the outset, Minister of Health Dr. Azra Fazal Pechuho informed the Chief Minister that Sindh has reported four cases of polio in 2025. This is a decrease compared to 23 cases in 2024 and 2 cases in 2023. The four current cases have been identified in the districts of Badin, Larkana, Kambar, and Thatta.

The Chief Minister stressed the importance of district-level leadership in reaching every child and overcoming parental hesitancy through respectful, data-driven engagement. “Every refusal must be seen as an opportunity to educate and build trust,” he stated. “Deputy Commissioners must lead from the front and ensure daily supervision in the field,” he directed.

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 Rashid Minhas in District East; Kamiso Goth in District West; Mohammad Khan Colony and Orangi in Malir District; Bahawalnagar Goth, Korangi Nalla, and Haji Mureed in Korangi and Central Districts, 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.

The meeting was told that in February 2025, 9,045,863 households were targeted and 99 per cent were covered. 2020,959 are still missed, 177,960 were not available, and 42,999 refused.

Dr. Azra 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 to 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 Deputy Commissioners to establish district-level war 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.”