CM Sindh Launches 10-day-long Anti-polio Drive

KARACHI, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 14th Aug, 2024) Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah launched a crucial 10-day polio eradication campaign aimed at immunising over 1.1 million children under five in 85 union councils of the city.

He said 1,037,000 children, ages four months to five years, would receive fractional inactivated polio vaccine (f-IPV) injections.

“In the campaign, we will use innovative, painless jet injectors to target high-risk areas in Karachi, where the polio virus still circulates.

He was talking to the media, just after launching a 10-day vital anti-polio campaign, August 15-25, 2024, by administering polio drops to children at Khalid Jameel Dispensary, Garden East on Wednesday.

Provincial Ministers Nasir Shah, Sharjeel Memon, Dr. Azra Fazal Pechuho, and Zulfiqar Shah were also present on the occasion.

Murad Ali Shah said that the anti-polio campaign launched in 85 union councils of Karachi city targeted over 1.1 million children under five to receive oral polio vaccine drops.

He added that 1,037,000 children (ages four months to five years) would receive fractional inactivated polio vaccine (f-IPV) injections.

The Chief Minister stated that innovative and painless jet injector technology is being used to target high-risk areas in Karachi, where the polio virus is still circulating.

He added that the mission aims to stop the spread of the virus in the city and prevent its transmission to other parts of the province.

Talking about the current polio situation in Pakistan, Murad Ali Shah said that 14 new polio cases were reported in the country this year, including two in Sindh. “Each case represents a child affected by polio emphasize the life-changing impact,” he said.

Discussing progress and challenges, the CM said that a significant reduction in polio cases over the years has been achieved due to the efforts of health care workers, volunteers, and community support. However, the virus still exists emphasizing the need for continued vigilance, he said.

“Success depends on the participation and cooperation of everyone: parents, guardians, community leaders,” Murad Shah said and emphasized that every child in the community must be vaccinated.

Talking about Independence Day and commitment, the chief minister said that his government was celebrating their commitment to providing a polio-free future as they celebrated Independence Day.

“Let us pledge ourselves to protect children from polio and ensure no child is left behind,” he said.

Murad Ali Shah expressed deep gratitude to health care workers and volunteers, and all involved in the campaign.

He acknowledged their dedication as the backbone of the fight against polio.