Sindh CM, Gates Foundation vow to achieve Polio-free Sindh, Pakistan

• Result-oriented polio campaign to start from February 2-8

KARACHI (Jan 29): Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah met with a high-level delegation from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF), led by its Global President, Dr Christopher Elias, to foster further cooperation and collaboration towards a polio-free Sindh, Pakistan.

The meeting, held at CM House, was attended by Chief Secretary Asif Hyder Shah, Secretary of Health Jamshed Memon, and EOC Coordinator Shariq Memon. It focused on the current epidemiological situation in Sindh and the strategic plan for 2026. The BMGF delegation included Dr. Anita Zaidi (President, Gender Equality Division), Dr. Kathy Newsel (Director of Polio), and Dr. Michael Galway (Deputy Director of Polio).

Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah expressed his gratitude for the foundation's steadfast support. “The Sindh government is thankful for the cooperation of the Gates Foundation in our fight against polio. We have greatly improved our campaign coverage and remain dedicated to the virus's complete eradication,” the CM stated.

Dr Christopher Elias praised the provincial government’s efforts, noting, “The Sindh government is working in a highly organised manner. Our cooperation and collaboration will continue until polio is fully eradicated.”

Environmental concerns: During the briefing, it was highlighted that, while polio cases in Sindh fell from 23 in 2024 to 9 in 2025, environmental samples in Karachi continue to reveal the presence of the virus. The CM pointed out that recent positive environmental samples from various sites in Karachi are worrisome and demand a more proactive response.

The meeting discussed the "Karachi Action Plan (KAP) from January to June 2026," which introduces specialised strategies such as the "Single Knock Strategy" to reduce community fatigue and enhance first-visit effectiveness.

Murad Shah stated that his government was implementing necessary interventions to turn the environmental sample results in the city negative.

Chief Minister Murad Shah announced that a new nationwide polio campaign would take place from February 2 to February 8, 2026, to achieve better results.