Polio won’t be eliminated thru routine; it requires targeted, collective action: Murad Shah

Polio won’t be eliminated thru routine; it requires targeted, collective action: Murad Shah

• Zero tolerance for missed children
• Every missed child is a potential case: CM

KARACHI (May 21): Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, presiding over a meeting of the provincial polio task force, highlighted the necessity of accountability at every level, “Every missed child is a potential case. Polio won’t be eliminated through routine; it requires targeted, urgent, and collective action. We must ensure that no child in Sindh remains unprotected.”

He reviewed recent epidemiological trends, assess campaign performance, and finalise preparations for the campaign taking place from May 26 to June 1, 2025.

meeting to  The meeting, held at CM House, was attended by Health Minister Dr Azra Fazal Pechuho, Minister Local Govt Saeed Ghani, Chief Secretary Asif Hyder Shah, Saeed Ghani, Mayor Karachi Murtaza Wahab, IG Police Ghulam Nabi Memon, Secretary Health Rehan Baloch, Secretary to CM Zaman Narejo,  Secretary Colleges Shuhab Ansari, Adl IG Karachi Javed Odho,  Consultant WHOI Dr Salah Haithami, BMGF Sr Program Officer Ms Mariia May, Incharge EOC Irshad Sodhar, CEO PPHI Javed Jagirani, representatives from partner organisations, and the Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) Sindh and others. Divisional Commissioners, NEO Coordinator Islamabad, Cap. Anwarul Haq and deputy commissioners of different districts attended the meeting through video link.

Minister Health Dr Azra Fazal Pechuho and Incharge EOC Irshad Sodhar gave a detailed briefing to the chief minister on the upcoming anti-polio drive.

Polio Remains a Threat: The Chief Minister of Sindh, welcoming all the participants of the meeting, stated that polio continues to pose a threat that cripples our children. “We are taking all out efforts, and convening provincial taskforce meetings regularly to send the clear and loud message to the entire administration to launch campaigning as a mission,” he said.

Health Minister Dr Azra informed the CM that 10 wild polio cases have been reported in Pakistan so far in 2025, including 4 from Sindh. Additionally, 11 out of 35 sewage samples collected between 7 April and 24 April tested positive for wild poliovirus, indicating continued virus circulation. May Campaign Targets: The May campaign will reach over 10.6 million children under the age of five across 1,292 Union Councils in all 30 districts of Sindh. The operation will be supported by more than 80,000 trained frontline workers and 25,539 law enforcement personnel, including female constables. Children between six and 59 months will also receive Vitamin A supplements to boost their immunity during the high-transmission season.

Tackling Refusals and Missed Children: To address persistent challenges in high-risk areas, especially in Karachi, 157 doctors have been deployed to target 6,780 sick refusals. The Police officials will assist in reaching 2,524 chronic refusals. The chief minister directed the health department to activate the Refusal Conversion Committees (RCCs) in the defaulting UCs.

Relentless Effort: Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah emphasised that accountability at all levels is essential: “Every missed child is a potential case. Polio won’t be eliminated through routine, it demands targeted, urgent, and collective action. Let’s not allow any child in Sindh to remain unprotected.”

“The fight against polio is a fight for trust, equity, and access. We must work hand in hand with parents, ulema, teachers, and frontline workers to ensure every child is vaccinated-every time.”