CM stresses urgency, accountability in anti-polio drives

While presiding over a meeting of the Provincial Polio Task Force, Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah highlighted the necessity of accountability at every level. He said, "every missed child is a potential case."

Minister for Health Dr Azra Fazal Pechuho and In-charge EOC Irshad Sodhar gave a detailed briefing to the Chief Minister on the upcoming anti-polio drive.

Polio remains a threat

The CM said that polio continues to pose a threat that cripples our children. "We are making all-out efforts and convening Provincial Task Force meetings regularly to send a 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 four from Sindh. Additionally, 11 out of 35 sewage samples collected between April 7 and April 24 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.

Tackling refusals

To address persistent challenges in high-risk areas, especially in Karachi, 157 doctors have been deployed to target 6,780 sick refusals. The CM directed to activate the Refusal Conversion Committees (RCCs) in the defaulting UCs.