Shallwani announces polio vaccination campaign

He says contaminated water and sanitation system is a contributory factor

KARACHI: Karachi Commissioner Iftikhar Ali Shallwani said that an extensive oral polio vaccination campaign will be initiated across Karachi in December.

Talking to media at the Jinnah Post Graduate Medical Centre (JPMC), he said that it was a matter of concern for everyone that polio cases were still being reported from Karachi.

He acknowledged that contaminated water and sanitation system, particularly in the slum areas of the metropolitan city, was a contributory factor.

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He said that efforts would be expedited to improve vaccination coverage in high-risk areas of the city.  He further added that they would try to convince parents refusing oral vaccination for their children.

“Special measures are being introduced to help convince parents and families found to be refusing OPV vaccination of their children,” he said.

Responding to a question, he claimed that 900,000 tons of solid waste had been lifted from across Karachi in the month of September and the situation of the city has significantly improved. He added they have chalked out a strategy in collaboration with Indus Hospital to curb the growing cases of dog bites leading to rabies.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 24^th, 2019.