Mutual cooperation: CM vows to make Sindh polio free

Murad Ali Shah visits hospital, says he has taken ownership of anti-polio campaign

KARACHI: I am committed to eradicating polio from the province, said Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah while speaking to the media after launching a six-day polio immunisation campaign in honour of World Polio Day by administering oral vaccines to children at Government Hospital, Ibrahim Hyderi.

The chief minister (CM) was accompanied by health minister Dr Sikandar Mandhro and Shahnaz Wazir Ali.

"I have taken ownership of this campaign, which is why I have come here to launch the drive," he said, adding that the target to be met in this campaign is 7.63 million children under five years, including 2.2 million in Karachi.

Shah lamented that this year 15 polio cases were reported in the country, of which five were reported in Sindh. One case each was reported from Karachi, Jacobabad and Sujawal and two from Shikarpur, he told the media. However, he said that the Sindh government is committed to controlling polio in the first phase and eradicating it in the second phase by launching extensive campaigns and taking necessary precautions. The CM urged parents to give polio drops to their children.

Fresh vaccines

The CM brushed aside rumours of workers using expired anti-polio vaccines, saying, "I am not a doctor but know very well that when a polio vaccine expires its colour changes and for that purpose lady health workers (LHWs) have been given necessary training". He assured that the children of Sindh were being given fresh drops.

Releasing funds

Shah also told media persons that a Provincial Finance Commission (PFC) was being formed. "Yesterday evening [Sunday] I received a PFC file to approve and I am personally working to constitute [the commission] so that necessary funds can be released to local bodies," he explained. He clarified that the provincial government had indeed provided sufficient funds to the councils, explaining that local councils, particularly union councils and district councils, have issues regarding bank accounts. Once they open their accounts the problem of transferring funds to them will be solved, he said.

Be dutiful

"I will not tolerate any doctor or paramedic who does not bother to turn up for their duty," warned Shah, and directed the elected representatives from the area to keep an eye on the presence of doctors at the hospital. He said that everyone has the right to stage protests but nobody has the right to take the law into their own hands. "The Pakistan Peoples Party believes in democratic norms and respects them," he said. The CM arrived at the hospital and was showered with rose petals. Party workers and leaders gathered and chanted party slogans, bestowing ajraks and Sindhi caps on the CM.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 25^th, 2016.